If the New York Giants do not trade down in the NFL Draft, they should absolutely select this player.
When the New York Giants headed to the desert to battle the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17, they held the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Two weeks later, after two straight wins to end the season, they dropped all the way down to No. 5.
It's hard to imagine more of a worst-case scenario for the Giants. I guess they could have ended up at No. 7, which would have been all sorts of nightmarish, but let's be honest: given the circumstances, drafting at No. 5 is not much better.
The chances of a trade down have been largely eliminated now. Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore will be off the board by then, and even if Ty Simpson enters the NFL Draft, I don't think anyone is thinking of drafting him top-five at this point.
That means New York will more than likely have to make its pick, and if that ends up being the case, the choice is obvious: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods.
The Giants finished 28th in the NFL in defense and second-to-last in defending the run this season, exemplifying their need for another interior lineman.
Dexter Lawrence had the worst year of his professional career, and while it was almost certainly due to injury, it's also glaringly obvious that he needs some help in the middle.
Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods. Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Woods is the best defensive tackle in this year's draft class, and while he had a bit of a disappointing campaign during his final season at Clemson, he is still an incredibly gifted talent who could become a star on the professional level.
New York has numerous needs beyond defensive tackle heading into the draft. Cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line are all areas of weakness. But there aren't any corners I would draft in the top five, and this draft class is very deep at receiver. The Giants could easily circle back around and take one on Day 2 (although they currently only have one Day 2 selection).
As tempting as it may be to nab Carnell Tate, it's important to remember that Malik Nabers is coming back next season, and if Big Blue re-signs Wan'Dale Robinson, it should feel perfectly comfortable taking a receiver a bit later. There are plenty of them.
I won't go as far to call Woods a can't-miss. I'm not sure there are any of those types of players in this year's group. But he is exactly what the Giants need: a space filler who will not only make Lawrence's job easier, but will also open up pass-rushing lanes for Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux (if Thibodeaux is still around in 2026).
How many times did we see New York get gashed by opposing running backs this season? It's time the Giants put a stop to that by drafting Woods and calling it a day.