A promising Clemson defensive tackle lands with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in one expert's mock draft, adding youth to their aging interior line.
The expectation is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will emphasize defense in this year's draft, and there are multiple directions they could go.
Tampa could select an edge rusher to give Yaya Diaby some help.
They could get a linebacker to launch a succession plan for Lavonte David.
They could get a cornerback, depending on whether unrestricted free agent Jamel Dean returns.
Tampa could also select a defensive tackle -- that's the direction USAToday's Ayrton Ostly expects them to go.
The tackle Ostly has the Bucs taking is Clemson's Peter Woods, who was an All-American this season and declared for the draft on Dec. 9.
"Vita Vea's getting up there in age, and Woods could learn from him," Ostly wrote Monday. "The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Clemson defender disappointed in 2025, but has the tools to be a Pro Bowler on his rookie contract."
Vea is 30, and although the Bucs do have a promising young tackle in Calijah Kancey -- who coach Todd Bowles expects to be a team captain one day -- the 24-year-old has missed significant time with injuries in each of his three NFL seasons.
This year, Kancey missed all but three games with a torn pectoral muscle.
As for Woods, it says a lot about his potential that he could make an All-American team and still have his season considered a disappointment.
Woods did experience a statistical drop-off, going from 8.5 tackles for loss in 2024 to 3.5 this season, and he had one fewer sack.
Woods is still widely expected to go in the first round, with ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him No. 22 in his most recent mock draft.
"Woods wasn't elite in 2025," Kiper wrote Sunday, "but the skill set is exactly what NFL teams covet.
"He plays on the inside the majority of the time, but he also can be disruptive off the edge. His strength will intrigue a lot of NFL teams, no matter where he lines up."
Another option for the Bucs at 15 could be Ohio State's Kayden McDonald, who Kiper ranks No. 18.
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
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