2026 NFL Scouting Report: Peter Woods

Peter Woods, 6-3/315
Defensive Tackle
Clemson

Peter Woods Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Twitchy interior defender
Impressive agility
Fast to fire his gap
Causes disruption behind the line
Contributes interior pass rush
Tough run defender
Can work off blocks and chase outside of his gap
Starting three technique ability
Makes contested catches
Concentration
Ready to compete immediately

Weaknesses:

Doesn’t finish some plays
Lets some sacks get away from him
Lets some tackles get away from him
Will have some quiet stretches

Prospect Summary:

Woods was part of a strong recruiting class that saw the field as a freshman for the Tigers. In 2023, Woods contributed 26 tackles with zero sacks in his debut for the Tigers. As a sophomore, Woods really improved in his pass rush, totaling three sacks, getting more pressures, and recording 26 tackles. In 2025, Woods had 30 tackles with two sacks and a pass batted.

Early in the 2026 NFL Draft process, scouts from around the league have already remarked that the Clemson defense is loaded with NFL talent. Woods is one of those prospects who has jumped out to pro evaluators. At the point of attack, Woods is very quick, athletic, strong, and disruptive. Woods lined up at defensive end and tackle for the Tigers, but for the NFL, he is more of a three-technique tackle rather than an edge defender. His build profiles better as a gap-shooting interior defensive lineman rather than an edge rusher, as he does not have the speed or length to be an every-down end in the NFL.

For the NFL, Woods is a twitchy interior tackle who has speed to get upfield and impressive agility to dart past blockers. Woods is fast to fire his gap and can charge hard into the pocket to cause disruption. However, he has to finish better as Woods gets close, but lets some sacks and tackles escape from him.

In the run game, Woods is a tough defender who can hold his ground at the point of attack. He also shows the ability to work off blocks and chase down backs to get in on tackles. Woods has three down starting potential on the inside as a tackle.

As a pro, Woods looks like a starting three-technique tackle who will fit well in a one-gap scheme. In the 2026 NFL Draft, Woods looks like a first-round pick.