The Denver Broncos hosted a few defensive tackles on top 30 visits, including Georgia’s Christen Miller and South Carolina’s Nick Barrett. However, a recent mock draft has them selecting a different defensive tackle with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round. Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball has the Broncos selecting Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange. “The Broncos lost a key defensive lineman in free agency, so they’ll have to address this area,” Cherepinsky wrote. “Dominique Orange is a big nose tackle, but possesses some work ethic concerns.” The key defensive lineman the Broncos lost in free agency to the Tennessee Titans is John Franklin-Myers, but here’s more information on Orange, who can potentially have the same impact Franklin-Myers had during his tenure in Denver.
North Kansas City High School (Kansas City, Missouri) — Class of 2022
Orange is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, where he played high school football at North Kansas City High School. At North Kansas City, Orange was a two-time all-state pick and three-time all-district selection.
247sports rated the 6-foot-4 325-pound defensive lineman as a three-star recruit. He earned a spot as one of four finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award in his senior year, which recognizes the best large class lineman or linebacker within the Kansas City metro area.
Iowa State (2022-2025)
Arkansas, Florida State, and Texas A&M are the notable programs that offered Orange. Still, he ultimately chose to play college football for the Iowa State Cyclones under Matt Campbell.
In his freshman season, Orange played in all 12 games and recorded eight tackles. As a sophomore, Orange saw action in all 13 of the Cyclones’ games, making five starts and racking up 16 tackles.
Orange started seven games as a junior, making 24 tackles while also tallying the only sack in his collegiate career, which came against Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship game. Orange also earned All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades after the season, and Bruce Feldman named him to the “Freaks” List on The Athletic before the start of the season.
2025 wasn’t Orange’s most productive season, which may explain why Cherepinsky has concerns with the defensive lineman’s work ethic, as he finished his senior season with 18 tackles.
It is worth noting that Orange increased his availability as a senior and started all 12 games. Orange earned All-Big 12 Third Team and Bednarik National Player of the Week after making six tackles in the Cyclones win against their rival, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Orange did so while lined up against center Logan Jones, who won the Rimington Trophy.
If the concerns about Orange’s work ethic are true, then he’s definitely going to need to make adjustments, especially if he wants to be a part of a team in Denver that’s known for its defense. The Broncos would provide a great opportunity for Orange, who may have to push himself like never before if he wants to not only be a part of the final roster but also have an impact on Vance Joseph’s defense if Denver selects him in the draft.
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