The Minnesota Vikings are officially adding some major “zest” to their defensive front. With the 82nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings selected Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange, a physical specimen affectionately known as “Big Citrus.”
This pick comes at a pivotal time for Minnesota’s defense. Just hours before the selection, the Vikings shook things up by trading star edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange for Greenard and a seventh-round pick, the Vikings secured a 2026 third-rounder (98th overall) and a 2027 third-rounder. While the trade cleared some serious cap space, it left a massive hole in Brian Flores’ defensive unit, a hole that Orange is more than happy to fill.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 322 pounds, Orange is the definition of an interior anchor. During his tenure with the Iowa State Cyclones, he became a household name not just for his nickname but for his immovable presence.
Orange finished his collegiate career with 50 games under his belt, totaling 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a sack. His senior season was his most impressive, where he earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors and was named the Bednarik National Player of the Week after a dominant six-tackle performance in a win over Iowa.
The “Big Citrus” nickname originated in high school when Orange tipped the scales at over 400 pounds. However, his commitment to conditioning saw him drop nearly 80 pounds, turning that mass into pure power. Vikings fans should be hyped; Orange brings a 450-pound bench press and a 650-pound squat to the Twin Cities.
Orange joins a revamped defensive line that already includes first-round pick Caleb Banks and linebacker Jake Golday. After moving on from veterans and trading away Greenard’s 15.0 career sacks in Purple, the Vikings are clearly betting on a younger, more physical identity to lead them into the future.
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