From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Iowa State DL Domonique Orange.

No. 95 Domonique Orange/NT Iowa State – 6-4, 325 pounds (Senior)
MEASUREMENTS

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Domonique Orange
6-4/325
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

The Good

– Thickly built with plenty of mass, looks bigger than listed weight
– Intriguing combination of size, power, and pop
– Commands double-teams against man/gap runs
– Shows impressive burst and juice out of his stance, able to get penetration and push centers back in run game
– Heavy hands and provides jolt on contact against linemen, making it easier to shed as a pass rusher
– More fluid and nimble than frame suggests
– Delivers heavy contact on tackles
– End/nose tackle background flexibility
– Consistently durable and available

The Bad

– Predictably lacks foot speed and ability to make plays in space
– Bad habit of dropping head/eyes off the ball and tends to “burrow” ahead off the snap in run game, can play too much over his toes
– Inconsistent flowing down the line against zone schemes
– Can tire, leading to pad level rising up
– Production fell off in 2025
– Likes to dip as pass rusher, but struggles to bend and can get turned and stuck
– Won’t be high-impact threat in pass game
– Missed too many tackles and struggled to finish
– Past struggles with weight, and will need to stay disciplined with a good plan

Stats

– Career (50 games): 66 tackles (7 TFL), 2 PDs, 1 sack
– 2025 (12 games): 18 tackles (0.5 TFL), 1 PD and 0 sacks
– 4.5 TFL, 1 sack in 2024
– 1,569 career snaps: 1,122 in A-gap, 272 in B-gap, 124 over tackle, 51 outside tackle
– Saw increased work at defensive end in 2024 (75 over tackle snaps)
– No. 183 overall defensive PFF grade in 2025
– No. 227 run defense grade, No. 222. pass rush grade
– Seven missed tackles and 25 percent missed tackle rate (11th worst tackle grade)
– 40 career hurries, 14 QB hits

Injury History

– 2024: suffered right arm/wrist injury against Baylor, fitted for sleeve
– 2025: battled ankle injury suffered in Week 8 against Colorado, but did not officially miss a game
– 2025: didn’t finish Week 5 game against Arizona due to unspecified injury

Bio

– Turns 22 in March 2026
– Three-star recruit from Kansas City, Missouri
– Chose Iowa State over Texas A&M, Oregon, and Ohio State, along with several other power schools; recruited by Rams’ coach Nate Scheelhaase
– Named third-team All-Big Ten in 2025
– Invited to 2026 Senior Bowl but did not ultimately attend
– Bruce Feldman’s No. 25 “Freak,” noting he can bench 450 pounds, squat 650 pounds, and has a 34-inch vertical
– Topped out at 408 pounds in high school after staying inside during COVID, leading to power programs to lose interest; arrived at Iowa State at 350 pounds but eventually slimmed down to 325 by cutting out fast food and working with Cyclones’ S&C staff
– Nickname is “Big Citrus”
– Brother played DE at Kansas
– Became more mature and dedicated more time in film room throughout career

Tape Breakdown

Kansas City’s Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange slimmed down throughout his Iowa State career, and the results paid off. Though his numbers weren’t gaudy, he played a key role anchoring the middle of the Cyclones’ defense. A large body in the middle, he can take on blocks and deliver a blow. A highlight came in 2024 against Iowa, blowing up this goal line dive with force (that’s not Kaleb Johnson, if you’re wondering).

Orange played mostly 0-tech this year, and he conventionally profiles as a run-stuffer. But he has quicker feet and more burst than you’d expect. His first step can knock back centers, and he shows heavy hands on his bull rush.

On the one throw from Iowa, Orange is at LDE, where he played a bit more during the 2024 season.

Still, Orange can clean up his technique. He often fires off the line head-down and plays over his toes, losing control and vision on the ball.

His foot speed is limited, and he won’t make many plays on the perimeter. Despite his impressive athleticism relative to his feed, his true pass-rush value remains. Not zero, but he’s, at best, a backup sub-package player.

Orange’s high missed-tackle rate is another concern; he left too many plays on the field.

Conclusion

Overall, Domonique Orange offers more than the standard run-plugger. He’s athletic and shows burst and explosiveness relative to his position. He takes on blocks and shows active hands to shed, though his sheer size and lack of true speed make finishing difficult. Coaches will also have to ensure his weight stays down at the NFL level, especially in the offseason. Curious what he weighs during the pre-draft process. He looks at least 10 pounds bigger than his listed weight, though players also work to drop pounds before the Combine.

He profiles best as a 0/1-tech and backup with the chance to offer a little more. My NFL comp is Teair Tart. 

NFL Projection: Late Day Two
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.3 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.5-8.1
Games Watched: at Iowa (2024), vs BYU (2025), vs Kansas State (2025)