Clemson Tigers Star Peter Woods Receives Major Draft Projection

Clemson Tigers star defensive tackle Peter Woods is one of the more volatile players in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Entering the 2025 season, Woods was likely to be a top-five or top-10 pick in the draft, but his inconsistency caused his draft stock to drop.

Woods is now an unpredictable player heading into the draft, as some mock drafts have him going in the mid-to-late first round, while others have him dropping all the way to the second round.

In CBS Sports' latest mock draft, Woods is selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 19th overall pick. 

The Panthers could be a solid fit for Woods, as they are emphasizing the retooling of their defensive line. Carolina made a splash in free agency by inking edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal. 

They made it to the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since the 2017 season and have been aggressive in adding to the roster this offseason. 

As the Panthers continue to look to improve their defensive line, they could take a chance on Woods with the 19th overall pick due to his potential. It may take some time for him to develop, but he has the tools to be a very impactful player.

In the 2024 season at Clemson, Woods had a great season, finishing with 28 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. He was very disruptive as a run stopper and was able to generate some pressure on the quarterback.

After that elite season, Woods was tabbed as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, but his 2025 season lowered his value.

Much like Clemson as a whole, Woods had a down year in 2025. He finished with 30 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. 

Woods was very inconsistent, leading to his stock now varying widely among draft experts. However, if Carolina is willing to take a chance on his potential and he lives up to it, they could have a star-studded defensive line with Woods, Phillips, and Derrick Brown.

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