Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice and NFL writer Charles McDonald discuss how the Iowa State defensive lineman could contribute at the next level. Check out the full conversation on “Football 301” – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
View more
Advertisement
Video Transcript
Dominique Orange, Big Citrus.
talked about him a little bit last week, I believe.
and just d- has no production to speak of.
I believe he had one career sack, but Iowa State’s defense was just so unique, and I get why they do it, but all three down fronts, they slant their defensive linemen one way, they have the linebackers scrape over the top of the other.
So a lot of his play, he’s fulfilling a role.
He’s just doing– He’s drawing on the line.
That defense was not about like, “Hey, line up and win.”
I get it.
It’s Iowa State.
They’re well-coached.
This is how they have to win.
and so they just have these guys slant across, and they create I mean, it works.
Advertisement
You watch Iowa State’s defense, I’m not knocking it.
Like this one works.
It’s just that when you’re trying to grade a nose tackle for an, as an NFL prospect, it’s kinda hard because you’re just seeing him slant across past the tackle.
Having said that, you get to see some of his traits, some of his light feet.
I, I just think that he has enough length and has enough stoutness, and I just saw some explosive plays from him as far as like rushing the passer.
like he was able I, I really wanna say the Arizona State game is what won me over for him.
I think I was watching Max Henesure at right tackle, who by the way, his film against Texas Tech is what s- put me over the top when we were talking about Bailey and everything.
Advertisement
He shut down Bailey, Henesure.
But, anyways, back to Dominique Orange is, I don’t know.
There’s, I think there’s just more to him.
Obviously, you can’t get worse production-wise, but I don’t think this is like a Mazi Smith.
You know, like I, I, I think Orange has just more to him- Good God and understands how to play.
I cannot stand this tape.
Smith was so frustrating to watch.
I never understood that first-round pick.
but Orange, I have him in my top 50.
Again, that’s kind of a late second, early third-round grade, in this draft class.
But I just think there’s more to him because I think he just moves well.
Advertisement
You get to see him as a looper and stuff, and I just think he has some more dynamic play ability to him.
But he’s a guy that really grew on me as I watched him.
Like you can kinda tell how much I like a guy is how many games I watch, and he- Yeah for a nose tackle, for me to watch four games, five games on a nose tackle, I like you ’cause usually I’m like, “I’m good.”