Mid-Season 2025 Mock Draft: The Saints build up the trenches

3:68- Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati

Defending the run has seemingly been an impossible task for the Saints. Ever since Week 3, New Orleans has allowed 170.5 rushing yards per game. A successful franchise can not allow that. To help improve their run defense, the Saints select Dontay Corleone.

Dontay Corleone is an elite run stopper, especially against zone runs. The NFL is rapidly shifting to zone-blocking schemes, with them being deployed 56.6% of the time, this makes players similar to Dontay Corleone even more important. He has a knack for being able to split blocks and bring the runner down in the backfield. His lateral quickness for a defensive tackle is impressive, allowing him to cut in between two offensive linemen and become a play wrecker. Corleone’s prowess in the run game is the primary reason the Saints would draft him, but it’s not the only thing he can do.

Dontay Corleone may be known as a run stopper but that doesn’t mean he can’t make plays in the passing game. So far in the season, Corleone has three sacks and 20 total pressures. His hand usage is extremely effective on opposing lineman, clearing the way to the quarterback. If Corleone is able to produce in the passing game, a tandem of himself and Bryan Bresee could be the future in the Bayou.

Although he has the pass rushing capabilities, he still needs to improve in it. Corleone doesn’t contain a solid first step, allowing lineman to get their hands on him immediately. If his first move doesn’t work then Corleone can be seen on film not being decisive and knowing what move to counter with. Fixing these is pivotal to the success of Corleone as not just a run stopper.

Dontay Corleone’s ability to stop the run is single handedly a reason for New Orleans to select him. He isn’t a polished prospect yet but has the ability to develop into a 3 down gamewrecker.