The Green Bay Packers biggest needs right now are at corner and defensive line depth. While results have fluctuated a bit, the mock draft I did earlier this week (shown below) has been the pairing that’s consistently fallen to me.
While I expect Collin Olliver and Barryn Sorrell to step up while Micah gets back to formula on the edge, the interior line could get a big boost by drafting Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange from Iowa State.
Here’s a closer look.
North Kansas City Star
Domonique Orange started his journey to the NFL in Kansas City, MO. Domonique was a 2 time all state and 3 time all district selection in high school. Other schools listed Orange as a 4 star recruit, and was ranked the 15th best defensive tackle nationally. Some outlets like 247Sports and ESPN listed him at 3 stars.
Coming out of high school he had several offers on the table, but in the end he chose Iowa State over Arkansas, Florida State, Ohio, and Texas A&M.
Here’s what his North Kansas City head coach had to say about Orange at that time according to an article from 247Sports:
““From a physical perspective, he is a big man,” North Kansas City head coach Leon Douglas previously told 247Sports. “It’s one of those things coaches ask all the time, ‘coach what’s his weight?’ I tell them, it doesn’t matter, he’s big — just a big dude. He’s athletic. He’s a basketball player. A lot of people don’t see that. With how big he is, you put a basketball in his hand and it opens a whole ‘nother dimension. His athleticism is what makes him special. To be that big and be as athletic as a skill kid, that’s pretty unique in a 300-plus pound individual. He is very strong and is a good kid as well. He’s fun to coach.“
Iowa Cyclones
Domonique Orange had a steadily ascending career while playing for the Iowa State Cyclones as an interior presence. Orange evolved from a rotational freshman into a durable, every down senior. Coming out of high school Domonique earned the name “Big Citrus due to his sheer size. At nearly 400 pounds in 2020, some recruiters turned away due to his size, while others saw the potential, including Iowa State. He cut his weight down to 350 lbs heading into his collegiate career.
As a true freshman in 2022, he appeared in 12 games and totaled 8 tackles. Orange showed flashes of raw power but was limited in snaps. He took a step forward in 2023, starting 5 games and recording 16 tackles. He also earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition that year.
Orange slimmed down to his current playing weight ahead of his junior campaign in 2024, clocking in at 325 lbs. This would be his most disruptive season, racking up 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and he got his first sack in the Big 12 Championship game against Arizona State. His efforts in his junior year landed him on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Feldman’s Freak List”. Here’s what he had to say:
“Orange had a solid 2024 season, making 24 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss — 3.5 of those TFLs came in the last five games of the season. The 6-4, 325-pound Orange, who spent much of his offseason refining his diet, has benched 450 pounds, squatted 650 and cleaned 365. He also has vertical jumped 34 inches.”
By 2025, Orange had transitioned into a full-time anchor, starting all 12 games and posting 18 tackles with increased snap volume and consistency, finishing his career with 66 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 1 sack across 50 games.
Domonique Orange On the Packers Defensive Line
The buzz surrounding Orange coming into the 2026 NFL Draft is that you have a strong anchor that can fill the A-gap and draw double teams with his size. He has a good first step burst but needs development on hand technique. Domonique has the ability to control blockers and create separation, and has shown the ability to make tackles with blockers still engaged.
Translation: Orange is an obvious Day 1 depth piece for an interior line that needs it badly.
Orange’s appeal lies less in box-score production and more in role reliability, which is exactly what a multiple front defense under Jonathan Gannon covets up front. His ability to fill in gaps allows linebackers to flow cleanly while freeing up edge rushers in simulated pressure looks. Gannon’s systems prioritize gap integrity, rotational depth, and defensive linemen who can maintain leverage over extended drives.
Orange’s late-career stamina gains and experience playing heavy snap counts align with that philosophy. In Green Bay, he wouldn’t be asked to be a primary pass-rush threat early but instead would bolster the defensive line rotation. He can provide early-down run support, and develop into a dependable piece in sub-packages. A blueprint the Packers have consistently used when building out their defensive front.
Check out these highlights:
Lastly, here’s a great in depth look from my colleague Newt Weston over at CheeseheadTV
Domonique Orange would be a great addition to give Devonte Wyatt a breather and help shut down the run. We’ll see if he lands on Gutey’s board later this month.
