Former scout’s shocking Bengals intel makes the Dexter Lawrence trade look significantly better than it did before
Former Dallas Cowboys scout Bryan Brauddus says the Cincinnati Bengals were going to draft Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods if they didn’t trade for Dexter Lawrence.
Former Dallas Cowboys scout Bryan Brauddus casually revealed who he believed the Cincinnati Bengals were going to draft in the first round had they not traded for Dexter Lawrence.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.
“Here’s Intel for you, they were going to reach on Peter Woods,” Brauddus told Jeff Cavanaugh. “They were going to take Peter Woods at 10. They were going to reach on a defensive tackle, is what they were going to do.”
Woods was considered a top-10 prospect at one point during the pre-draft process. A lackluster 2025 campaign and an injury-filled lead up to his pro day has dropped him down the consensus rankings. He’s currently No. 19 on the A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database, but some major mocks have him falling out of the first round entirely.
Selecting Woods with the No. 10 pick would have led to a wide range of reactions among fans and analysts alike. It would’ve been one of the more controversial decisions in the first round.
That possible future has been erased, and the Bengals are a better team for it.
Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence looks a lot better compared to the supposed alternative
Yes, Woods is eight years younger than Lawrence and would’ve been signed to a longer contract, but Lawrence is not only one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He’s one of the best defensive linemen in recent history.
Woods having Lawrence’s career would be an amazing outcome for how unexpected it would be. Regardless of how good he may become, his instant impact wouldn’t have been as large as Cincinnati is expecting Lawrence’s to be in 2026.
Trading for Lawrence signals just how much the Bengals felt defensive tackle was still a need for them. Jonathan Allen was signed in free agency, and they still broke precedent to trade for one of the game’s best interior disruptors.
Picking Woods that high would’ve sent the same message, but in a significantly more reckless manner. Reaching for needs is not how championship teams are built, and Cincinnati has fallen victim to the practice far too often.
It’s unfortunate for Woods because that may have been the highest he could’ve hoped to be picked on Thursday evening.
The Bengals made another bold move for another Clemson player instead, and it looks a lot better as of now.
See if Woods falls to pick No. 41 for the Bengals with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
