The Minnesota Vikings announced on Apr. 24 that they have selected Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange with the 82nd overall pick in the NFL Draft, continuing their focus on strengthening the defense.
The addition of Orange follows the team’s earlier first-round selection of Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks, signaling an emphasis on bolstering their defensive line. Orange started for Iowa State last season, recording 18 tackles, half a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed. Over his college career, he played in 50 games with 24 starts and accumulated a total of 66 tackles, one sack, seven tackles for loss, and two passes defensed.
Dane Brugler from The Athletic ranked Orange as this year’s No. 6 defensive lineman. Brugler wrote that Orange has room to develop as a pass rusher but is “powerful and immovable” in the interior line. “A two-time ‘Freaks List’ alum, Orange translates his weight-room strength (450-pound bench, 650-pound squat) to the field, where his impact is felt on tape more with disruption than production,” Brugler wrote. “Using his long extension, he creates powerful knockback, controls the point and eventually discards blockers although his shed timing must improve.”
Orange earned recognition for improving his conditioning throughout college after entering high school at over 300 pounds and surpassing 400 pounds by senior year—a factor that initially limited recruitment interest from some colleges. He later dedicated himself to nutrition and training and reduced his weight to about 325 pounds by junior year at Iowa State.
According to official measurements from his NFL Draft bio, Orange stands at just over six-foot-two inches tall and weighs in at around 322 pounds.
He joins a Minnesota defensive line group that has undergone significant changes recently following departures of veteran free agents Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen while returning players such as Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez are expected to help lead alongside Elijah Williams, Taki Taimani and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
