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Vikings Pick Domonique Orange in Third Round

4/26/2026

Summary

Vikings Draft Orange

The Minnesota Vikings selected tackle Domonique Orange with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, an Iowa State player who earned All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
He posted 66 tackles, seven for loss, one sack and two pass deflections in 50 games.
His selection follows the release of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave and gives Minnesota a contrasting interior-line prototype alongside first-round pick Caleb Banks.

Summary

Iowa Drafts

The 2026 NFL draft opened Thursday in Pittsburgh, running through Saturday.
Iowa schools had four picks, including Gennings Dunker (guard, Steelers, No. 96) and Logan Jones (center, Bears, No. 57) after the Bears lost starter Drew Dalman to retirement.
Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon, a Valley High School Tiger, was taken by the Patriots at No. 95.
Miami selected Southeast Polk lineman Kadyn Proctor with the 12th overall pick, the highest Iowa-area slot.

History

Historical Context

In 2012 the Vikings broke a decade-long drought of first-round offensive linemen by drafting USC tackle Matt Kalil with the fourth overall pick, signing him to a four-year deal on July 26. That move helped lift the team to its first winning season since 2009. The 2026 selection of interior-lineman Domonique Orange mirrors the same early-round line-reinforcement strategy.

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Vikings Draft Orange

The Minnesota Vikings selected tackle Domonique Orange with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, an Iowa State player who earned All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
He posted 66 tackles, seven for loss, one sack and two pass deflections in 50 games.
His selection follows the release of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave and gives Minnesota a contrasting interior-line prototype alongside first-round pick Caleb Banks.

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