With the 82nd pick, Minnesota continued to add to the defensive front.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange with the 82nd pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding depth to the defensive trenches. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has shown a strong eye for defensive line prospects, and this selection fits that approach.
After Minnesota moved on from veteran defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason, the team shifted its focus to strengthening the interior of the defensive line. They addressed that need by selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick in the first round, and Orange in the third round, adding young developmental talent to the position group.
The 22-year-old Kansas City, MO native spent all four seasons of his college career with the Cyclones, earning third-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after posting 18 total tackles (nine solo) and one pass breakup. He earned an overall defensive grade of 68.3 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 349th among 887 qualifying interior defensive linemen. His pass-rush grade of 62.8 ranked 340th, while his run-defense grade of 67.4 ranked 472nd at the position. Orange generated 13 total pressures as a pass rusher, including 10 hurries and three hits, while also recording 20 tackles against the run.
Orange wasn’t invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but he measured in at 6-foot-2, 322 pounds with 33 3/8-inch arms and 10 1/4-inch hands. According to Next Gen Stats, his pre-draft total score of 67 ranked seventh among defensive tackles, while his production score of 59 ranked 14th and his estimated athleticism score of 76 ranked seventh at the position.
His biggest immediate value comes from his ability to anchor against double teams and clog the A-gaps. With his stout lower body, long arms and strong first-step reaction quickness, he is capable of holding his ground even when offensive lines attempt to displace him laterally. That skill is especially important in a division where downhill run schemes and physical interior offensive lines are common. Even when he does get rocked off his spot, Orange’s recovery strength allows him to re-anchor and finish plays late, which helps minimize explosive runs.
If developed properly, his combination of power, length and reaction quickness gives the Vikings a rotational interior presence who can stabilize early downs and complement more disruptive defenders around him, while also helping strengthen depth and consistency across the defensive front over the course of a long season.