The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
It’s no secret that the Green Bay Packers need to beef up their defensive line. Even with the addition of veteran Javon Hargrave in free agency, the Packers still have work to do.
“There is probably more appetite for a pure nose because some of the snaps that we’re going to play have that,” Brian Gutekunst said. “Where maybe we wouldn’t have had that with Jeff.”
The Packers haven’t invested a Top 100 pick on the defensive tackle position since Gutekunst selected Devonte Wyatt with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
That drought could end this weekend, with a potential target being Domonique Orange. The Iowa State defensive tackle checks in at No.1 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A three-star recruit, Orange recorded two tackles for loss during his second season at Ames. In 2024, he enjoyed a breakout season, recording 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. This past season, his stats dipped, but still earned Third Team All Big-12.
At 6-2, 322 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, Orange has the mass to clog up running lanes. He is powerful and can overwhelm offensive linemen at the point of attack with his strength. He’s a big, physical presence on the interior and can make life miserable for interior offensive linemen. More often than not, he’s able to stay balanced through contact to create traffic and constrict running lanes. He may not always get credit for getting the tackle for loss or the stop. However, he impacts darn near every run play. With his powerful hands, he is able to deconstruct blocks and create pushback.
This play doesn’t show up in the box score for Domonique Orange and it encapsulates why I think he could be a missing link to Green Bay’s F7.
He may not always directly make the play but he’s disrupting the action. pic.twitter.com/Df4fwyc6ty
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) April 22, 2026
His best outing this past season was against the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Joe Moore award-winning offensive line group. The same group that will likely have three players hear their names get called in the Top 200 this weekend. Orange was credited with five stops and consistently wrecked Iowa’s rushing attack.
Domonique Orange’s best game this past season (in my book) came against the Joe Moore award winning Iowa Hawkeyes OL.
Just his ability to shut down running lanes and create traffic.
Add him to the spine of Green Bay’s defense and prosper. pic.twitter.com/E34P4HzB5P
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) April 22, 2026
“He just knows how to maximize leverage,” Luke Easterling, an NFL Draft writer for Athlon Sports, said. “He’s got that wide, powerful frame, and just keeps his pads low and plays behind them. He controls with his hands at the point of attack, and doesn’t get over his skis, keeping his balance and showing smooth footwork while flowing to the ball. It’s not easy to maintain that relationship between your top half and lower half while trying to track the ball-carrier and reset the line of scrimmage, and he checks all those boxes consistently.”
Orange is going to make his living at the next level due to his ability to two-gap and control the middle of the line of scrimmage. That’s where his bread will be buttered.
That’s not to say he’s a no-show as a pass rusher. He has some juice. With his initial quickness (1.71 10-yard split) he can get upfield in a hurry and then turn that speed into power to drive offensive linemen backward. During his final three seasons at Iowa State, he recorded 45 pressures.
Domonique Orange’s calling card will be his ability to clog up running lanes.
I do think there is some juice there as an interior pass rusher. 45 pressures during his final three seasons. pic.twitter.com/01D4ejsyZg
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) April 22, 2026
“I think he’s got some potential as a pass rusher because of that leverage and power, where he can drive interior blockers back into the quarterback’s lap if they don’t maintain a strong base,” Easterling said. “He’s obviously not gonna be your super explosive, upfield disruptor type as a pass rusher, but he’ll be a pain in the ass with his bull rushes and violent hands.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need a nose tackle type and adding Orange could be everything they are looking for in the middle of their defense.
He’s a powerful, space-eating presence who can anchor the middle and free up the rest of the defense to clean up the mess. It’s because of that power that Orange was No. 25 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list this past summer.
“I’m taking him on Day 2 because I know exactly what I’m getting,” Easterling said. “Haters will complain about the value of a primarily early-down player, but there’s a ton of value in shutting down the ground game and forcing opposing offenses to consistently be in those 3rd-and-long situations. You have to earn the right to rush the passer, and Orange will do that for you, even if he’s not on the field for some of those passing situations.”
If Big Citrus lands in Green Bay, he could provide an immediate impact as part of their nose tackle rotation and could quite potentially even earn a starting role.
The Packers need to make it a priority to get tougher and more physical up front and Orange could inject an edge to Green Bay’s front seven.
While his impact may not always show up in the box score, his presence would be felt. He’d help shore up Green Bay’s run defense and he’d help keep the likes of Edgerrin Cooper clean. Add him to the spine of the defense, and the rest of Green Bay’s front seven will prosper.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 1, Iowa State DT Domonique Orange