NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Iowa State DL Domonique Orange

Dominique Orange is a densely-built nose tackle and a boulder against the run. The 6'2", 325-pound defensive lineman, who's nicknamed "Big Citrus," has impressive strength at the point of attack, making him impossible to move with one-on-one blocks and a gap-filler against double-teams.

Orange went to Iowa State as a 3-star recruit in the 2022 class and became an immediate contributor, playing in a rotational role as a true freshman. He turned into a spot starter during his second year on campus, collecting 16 tackles and two tackles for loss before earning the full-time job as a junior, totaling 24 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and a sack.

The Cyclone has earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in both the 2023 and '24 campaigns.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

Ben McShane/Getty Images

- Thick build and good size for an NFL nose tackle.

- Good initial quickness to get penetration when shooting gaps.

- Impressive pop in Orange's hands, with accompanying upper body strength, to generate knockback power and reset the line of scrimmage when taking on blocks.

- Plays with good pad-level and attacks the man he's lined up across to help stay in his gap assignment when taking on double-team blocks.

- Runs his feet to help avoid getting reached or scooped.

- Can make tackles with offensive linemen hanging onto him.

- Active hands as a pass-rusher.

Areas of Improvement

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

- Orange has room for improvement when it comes to disengaging and escaping from blocks.

- Struggles to break down in the backfield and often runs too far up the field upon gaining penetration.

- Plays with a narrow base, which can get him in trouble against combo blocks if the offensive linemen can survive initial contact.

- Minimal pass-rush production. Orange isn't an effective bull-rusher to consistently collapse the pocket. Projects as a two-down player at the next level.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Starter Upside — 3rd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M (7.2 in 2021), Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma (7.2 in 2022), Mazi Smith, Michigan (7.3 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 79

POSITION RANK: DL7

PRO COMPARISON: T.J. Slaton

Measurables and Testing Data

David Purdy/Getty Images

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 322
Hand: 10¼"
Arm: 33⅝"
Wingspan: N/A

40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A