Peter Woods 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Clemson, DT
Everything you need to know about Clemson star DT Peter Woods’ game, from pros and cons to a pro player comparison ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 310
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Javon Hargrave
2026 NFL Combine Results
Peter Woods, Clemson, DT
- Hand Size: N/A
- Arm Length: N/A
- 40-Yard Dash: N/A
- Vertical Leap: N/A
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
- 3-Cone: N/A
Pros of Peter Woods
- An explosive first step that puts interior offensive linemen at a disadvantage off the snap
- A gifted athlete for someone of his size and it helps him to put interior linemen in uncomfortable situations
- High IQ run defender
- Deep bag of hand fighting techniques
Cons of Peter Woods
- Not as much pass rush production as you’d like to see out of a first-rounder
- If he isn’t able to win the rep quickly, he struggles to disengage offensive linemen
- Needs to become more physical at the next level to pair with his athleticism
- Over-aggression forces him to miss tackles at times, which puts the second level of the defense in a tough spot
Background
Woods has been on NFL teams’ radars for a while now. Even before joining Clemson, he was a highly touted and respected high school athlete. Woods was not only a five-star prospect but was ranked as a top 10 player in the 2023 recruiting class by ESPN. He wasn’t able to dominate at the college level at the same rate as he did in high school, but he has all the makings of a very talented pro.
Player Evaluation
Woods has just about all the intangibles coaches want to see out of a DT. His ability against the run gives him a high floor and should help him get on the field instantly as a rookie. He needs to be coached up a bit more as a pass rusher, though, and will need to get stronger to combat professional offensive linemen.
Before the 2025 season, some thought he would be in the conversation as a top-five pick in the 20/6 NFL Draft. He wasn’t able to deliver on those predictions, but neither did the entire Clemson Tigers team. He’s still a lock to hear his name in the first round and is the consensus top DT in the class for a reason.
A to Z Rankings
A to Z Big Board Ranking: 17th, DT1
A to Z Draft Grade: 8.78
Draft projection: Late first-round
