Despite swimming in NFL draft prospects, Clemson had one of the most disappointing football programs in the nation. The Tigers went 7–6 on the season with a 4–4 record in ACC play, and their struggles made a significant impact on several players' draft stock. Maybe no one was more impacted by Clemson's struggles than star defensive tackle Peter Woods.
Coming into the 2025 season, Woods was seen as a can't-miss prospect, and most analysts would have said it was a safe bet for him to be the first IDL off the board. Now, that may not be the case. After a tough season at Clemson and subpar combine measurements, Woods' stock took a nosedive, and analysts started sliding him down their boards.
Some scouts have even suggested that Woods could fall out of the first round and that his lack of elite size could cause him to get passed up by other top prospects. But after his pro day, where Woods tested incredibly well and showed off the incredible skills that made him a top prospect, he may have recovered some of the ground he lost.
Peter Woods is still a gamewrecking monster, don’t let the taper in production fool you pic.twitter.com/HPcdhMscvE
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 12, 2025
Peter Woods’ draft stock took a hit but the talent never changed
Woods has remained my top defensive tackle in the draft throughout the entire cycle, and based on film alone, I felt he was worthy of a top-10 pick. His limited size at the combine raised concerns about how well he would be able to generate power at the NFL level. But at his pro day, Woods came in at 6-2.5 and 305 lbs., which was much more in line with what people expected from him at the combine.
At Clemson, Woods consistently lined up in an even-front three-tech defensive role, one where he excelled very early in his career. But this year, Woods struggled to take the jump scouts hoped he would, and for many scouts, the measurables just confirmed the issues they saw on film. However, with the update to his size and frame, Woods made a major boost to his draft profile, and when you combine that with his incredible testing and movement… look out.
When I watched the tape for Woods this season, I did not come away with the same impression as others. When you watch the Clemson defense, you will struggle to find a single play where number 11 in orange does not have two blockers assigned to him. Teams simply could not leave him one-on-one, and for him to be as productive as he was, despite constantly facing double teams, tells a story in itself.
Peter Woods going through positional drills, led by Cowboys defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. pic.twitter.com/evF7NJiCcL
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 12, 2026
Why Peter Woods makes sense for the Chiefs
This is important for the Chiefs, who could still use some help on their defensive line, and a player of Woods' caliber would be a day-one game-changer. Woods brings a blend of speed and power that the Chiefs would love to add to their already strong defensive line. He could consistently play on early downs on the interior of their defense. The Chiefs already have a superstar in Chris Jones, and adding someone like Woods to support him would immediately transform the Kansas City defensive line.
With Woods' stock taking a hit after the combine, the idea that the Chiefs would be able to land him at 29 (and even 40) became more and more realistic. But following his strong pro day performance, this becomes significantly less likely, and now landing Woods at 29 feels like a dream scenario. Also, with Caleb Banks injured and Lee Hunter underperforming at the combine, other defensive tackles who may have jumped Woods have started to slip.
I remember when someone complained about Peter Woods missing tackles, but they never seemed to mention Caleb Banks
— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) March 11, 2026
His tape is littered with GORGEOUS blocksheds and unfinished plays
Ceiling is there for both of them. We will see if they reach it pic.twitter.com/mWvtaAhwRe
Picking at 29, the Chiefs find themselves behind several teams that need to add a defensive tackle, and if they love Woods, a trade up into the early 20s may be their best chance to land him. The Chiefs may look to jump teams like the Bears, Texans, or Bills, all of which could be in the market to add a star defensive tackle such as Woods.
To this day, Woods remains my number one-ranked defensive tackle in this year's draft, and if the Chiefs have a chance to target him, they absolutely should. Woods is the perfect fit in Steve Spagnuolo's scheme, and a defensive tackle room of Chris Jones, Woods, Khyiris Tonga, and Norman-Lott would be a true handful for opposing offenses to manage. If the Chiefs find themselves picking at 29 and Woods is still on the board, he could turn out to be the biggest steal of the first round.