The 2025 NFL draft has talent all over the defensive line. One of the most intriguing prospects is Cincinnati’s Dontay Corleone.
2025 NFL Draft Profile: Dontay Corleone
Dontay Corleone NFL Draft Overview
There are few players with a more tantalizing athletic profile than Cincinnati interior defensive lineman Dontay Corleone. With a phenomenal blend of speed and power, Corleone has been a force the last two seasons. Corleone has the power and size to be a nose tackle in an odd front defense but also has the quickness and penetration ability to play as a 1-tech in an even front. The star of the Bearcat’s defense lives in opposing backfields and will be looking to do so again in 2024. If he puts it all together, Corleone has the potential to be one of the biggest disruptors at the next level. Corleon’s traits are enticing, and he will be a three-year starter by the time the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around.
Corleone has natural gifts that few defensive tackles have. The ability to truly anchor in the run game while also possessing the ability to rush the passer is rare. Corleone can do this because of his tremendous blend of power and quickness. While there is refinement necessary, Corleone’s game translates well to the next level. He stands at about 320 pounds. Most players that size do not possess the speed and quickness that he does. Corleone is rumored to move as fast as 18 miles per hour last season.
Position: IDL
Height: 6’1” (Unofficial)
Weight: 320 Pounds (Unofficial)
School: Cincinnati
Dontay Corleone 2025 NFL Draft profile
Strengths
- Fantastic athlete for his size. Will test off the charts at the 2025 Combine
- A rare combination of power and quickness
- Can play the run as a nose and rush the passer as a gap shooter
- Scheme versatile and can play in every NFL defense
- Incredible motor, especially for someone at that weight
- Gap controller who takes on double teams stoutly with power
- Quick first step that allows him to penetrate as a pass rusher
- Will have three seasons of starting experience
- Great bull rush to overpower some guards
Weaknesses
- Diagnosed with blood clots, cleared to play in late June
- Hands need work as he learns to use them more
- Building more pass rush moves could make him an elite pass rusher from the interior
- Occasionally shoots straight up out of his stance and gets stalemated
Projection: Late First Round to Mid Second Round
Bottom Line on Dontay Corleone
While the defensive tackle position has seen some decline in value, there are still several that find themselves being taken highly. Dontay Corleone certainly has the athletic profile to be taken in the first round. While his projection does not scream day one, another stellar season could vault him into the first round. Where there is concern about taking Corleone, that high stems from his recent blood clots diagnosis. Corleone was treated for blood clots in his lungs and then returned to the team in late June. Some players have seen their stock completely killed by concerns over life-threatening health issues before. In 2018, Maurice Hurst was projected to be a lock to go in the first round. After a heart condition was discovered, he fell to the fifth. Corleone will need to undergo various medical tests to assuage some teams’ concerns.
If Corleone comes back with a clean bill of health, he has a serious opportunity to go late in the first round. While the second round is more likely, the first is not completely out of the question. Corleone is a balanced player who can play both the pass and the run. He has the potential to be a great disruptor at the NFL level with his tools.
Main Image: Kareem Elgazzar – USA Today Sports
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