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https://www.vikings.com/news/domonique-orange-2026-nfl-draft-class-best-rookie-season-players

'Sports Illustrated' Predicts Best Year 1 Players for All 32 Teams

Flick casted predictions for the league's 32 teams and didn't take the easy route of 32 first-rounders, either.

In fact, the Vikings are one of 16 clubs that Flick thinks will benefit greatly from a non-Day 1 pick in 2026. Flick addressed Minnesota selecting Florida product Caleb Banks at 18, then made his case for the 82nd pick.

The Vikings had an interesting draft, swinging big on defensive [lineman] Caleb Banks in the first round and double-dipping on the interior with [Domonique] Orange. Both could start Week 1, and while Banks has game-wrecking potential, Orange is a safe bet to execute his role at a high level — the 6' 2", 322-pounder clogs lanes as well as any defensive tackle in the class. Another name to monitor here is third-round safety Jakobe Thomas, who could play significant snaps if Harrison Smith opts for retirement.

Flick did a good job circling the impact that Orange, aka "Big Citrus," may make in Year 1, while drawing attention to Banks and Thomas, the team's fifth Top 100 pick (98th) this cycle and fourth defender added.

Thomas is deserving of Flick's mention, too, because he played a quasi-quarterback-of-the-defense role on a Miami Hurricanes unit coached by former Gophers Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman, which demanded skills coveted by Vikings DC Brian Flores: aggression, communication, ball production, etc.

Orange, however, does feel like a "safe bet to execute his role at a high level" because he's going to give Flores' group a true nose tackle, someone who can muddy up the middle and reinforce the run defense.

For what it's worth, Flick singled out three more big men as NFC North rookies primed for success: Bears center Logan Jones (57th), Packers defensive tackle Chris McClellan (77) and Lions tackle Blake Miller (17).