The 2025 Kansas City Chiefs season clearly did not go according to plan, and no position encapsulated that better than defensive tackle. The Chiefs let Derrick Nnadi walk in free agency only to trade back for him. They cut Mike Pennel in the hopes he’d sign to their practice squad, and he left for a period of time. They drafted Omarr Norman-Lott, who showed flashes but had his season cut short due to injury. The defensive tackle position for the Chiefs was Chris Jones and nothing else.
The Chiefs have long struggled to find a difference-maker to put next to Chris Jones. Part of the problem has been the lack of investment the Chiefs have made in that role. As Chris Jones ages, they have to continue investing in the position. The confusing part of the Chiefs’ defensive line plan involved Omarr Norman-Lott, whom they seemed to want to bulk up to be more of a run stuffer rather than the pass-rushing monster he was at Tennessee.
Adding a player like Peter Woods in the draft allows the Chiefs to get players back into their best roles. Woods can play next to Jones on early downs and help get Norman-Lott on the field to rush the passer next to Stone Cold.
Be sure to check out the Arrowhead Addict Big Board for our custom rankings of draft prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Peter Woods | IDL | 6-3 310 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) December 19, 2025
A dominant run defender with rare power and movement. He wins with strong hands, quick get-off, and stack-and-shed ability, holds up vs double teams, and has the traits to grow into a disruptive pass rusher at the next level. pic.twitter.com/XCP23PIw6M
NFL Draft Profile: Peter Woods, Interior Defensive Linemen, Clemson
Age: 21 (on draft day)
Height: 6-3 (Listed)
Weight: 310 LBS (Listed)
Tape Exposure: Texas (2024), SMU (2025), LSU (2025)
Shades of: Christian Barmore
Peter Woods Background
A consensus four-star recruit via 247Sports, Woods was recruited by both Alabama and Clemson. He was the sixth overall prospect in Alabama and the eighth-ranked defensive lineman nationally. He committed to Clemson in 2022.
Woods is a rare physical specimen. He ranked in the top five on Clemson’s roster in muscle mass as a true freshman, and recent body composition testing showed 240 pounds of lean muscle—an uncommon blend of size, power, and quickness for someone his size. Woods benched 490 pounds, completed 34 reps at 225, squatted 700, power-cleaned 385, ran a 4.86 in the 40, and jumped 33 inches vertically. He ranked fifth on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List in 2025.
Why Peter Woods is a high level fit for the Chiefs
Run Defense
The most dynamic part of Woods’ game is what he can do against the run. His ability to hold up against double teams, rip and shed blocks, and crush run lanes makes him a match-changer against the run. He’s one of those players whose impact goes far beyond the box score.
Athletic Traits
With only five career sacks, Peter Woods can best be described as an emerging pass rusher. However, his athletic ability and traits show that he can develop in that area. He displays several ways to win against blockers, including a rip and swim move. Woods can be described as “country strong”; his ability to anchor against double teams and shut down a gap is special.
Versatility
Despite his bigger frame, Woods can be seen lined up anywhere from a zero-technique to a stand-up edge rusher as a five-technique. Woods is also an impact stunter and gamer who can use his athletic ability to loop around and affect the passer.
Concerns for Peter Woods
Lack of Pass Rush
As a pass rusher, Woods has a long way to go. As a run defender, he is good, not great. There are high-floor run defenders in this class. At this point, you are drafting his traits and hoping for growth as a pass rusher, with the floor being a solid run defender. There’s projection necessary to make him a top-10 pick.
Football Character
Clemson was a major disappointment in 2025, and the tape for Woods in 2024 is better than in 2025. How much was Woods impacted by the down season for a Clemson team that was a major disappointment? There were certainly some questions about his effort in 2025. Likewise, his playing weight in 2024 seemed too heavy for his frame and may have limited him. Woods seems like a good player off the field, but as a projected top-15 pick, these are valid questions.
Is Peter Woods the Answer to the Defensive Line?
Woods has rare athletic ability and a high floor as a run defender. The Chiefs haven’t exactly instilled confidence when it comes to defensive line development. Woods’ ceiling makes him a potentially limited-impact top-15 player. There are certainly other high-impact run defenders who can be taken on Day 2 and even Day 3 of the draft. Ultimately, what you are betting on is his traits as a pass rusher.
Peter Woods possesses rare athletic ability that could make him a Pro Bowl–level player in the NFL. His ability against the run gives him a high floor, with traits to develop as a pass rusher at the next level. Woods impacts plays far beyond the box score; whether he can start logging impact stats in the box score remains to be seen.
Draft Grade: Purple Chip (1st round Grade)