The Minnesota Vikings made a surprising selection with the their first pick of the 2026 Draft, picking defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th-overall pick.While many people expected Minnesota to go in a different direction, the franchise knew it needed to rebuild the interior of its defensive line.
The Vikings made that priority clear when they double dipped, drafting defensive tackle Domonique Orange in the third round.
While Banks was a polarizing pick, with Minnesota selecting him much earlier than expected, Orange is being praised as a value pick. In a recent piece for The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner named some of the best values in the 2026 Draft, basing it off their ranking in Dane Brugler’s draft guide.
Orange, who was ranked No. 62 in the guide, was listed by Baumgardner as one of the most valuable picks because he was selected 20 spots later than his ranking, drafted with the 82nd-overall pick.
Domonique Orange is already considered as a steal for the Minnesota Vikings
Baumgardner explained that most of the defensive tackles went off the board in their projected ranges, but Orange sliding near the end of the third round was a bit surprising. That’s why Minnesota landing the defensive tackle, with that pick specifically, is noteworthy.
The most exciting thing that Baumgardner said, though, is “Banks and Orange could be quite a force together.” That’s certainly what Vikings fans are hoping for.
Minnesota moved on from veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this offseason, so the team had to invest in the defensive line. That mission resulted in the Vikings landing two defensive tackles who can grow alongside each other and dominate together for years to come.
Having one really good defensive tackle is a game changer; having two could truly set the Vikings up for complete dominance. Minnesota’s defense is already a stifling unit under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and the group now has the potential to be even better.
Orange was a phenomenal run stopper in college, often having success as a a nose tackle. Banks, on the other hand, has more position versatility, and will probably play some defensive end in Minnesota’s 3-4 defense.
If both defensive linemen can meet expectations, the Vikings defense should be good for years to come.
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