The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their defensive front on Thursday night, selecting former Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about the newest member of the defensive line.
1. Woods was a three-year contributor at Clemson, logging 24 starts in that time.
The 21-year-old Woods appeared in 35 games (with 24 starts) over the last three seasons, which included at least 11 starts in each of the last two years.
He was a Freshman All-American selection in 2023, and after earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors as a sophomore, Woods wrapped up his career as a First-Team All-ACC selection in 2025.
In terms of numbers, Woods tallied 84 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles during his time at Clemson.
2. He possesses a unique blend of size and athleticism.
Woods, who checks in at 6-foot-2 and 298 pounds, has a rare combination of size and athletic ability. His 1.67 10-yard dash, for example, indicates a player with elite explosive ability.
Here’s more from the folks at Pro Football Focus:
“Woods offers an ideal blend of size, strength and athleticism, with true scheme versatility. His explosive first step and ability to convert speed to power make him disruptive at the line of scrimmage. If he expands his pass-rush plan, he can turn pressures into more impactful production.”
3. Woods is a versatile player capable of playing all over the defensive front.
A chess piece along the defensive front during his time with the Tigers, Woods demonstrated an ability to play at multiple spots throughout his collegiate career.
Specifically, Woods recorded snaps at left defensive tackle (316 snaps), right defensive tackle (114 snaps), nose tackle (47 snaps) and left defensive end (37) among other spots in 2025. Looking back at 2024, Woods even logged a handful of significant snaps (60) as an outside edge-rusher.
4. He recorded 15 offensive snaps last year, scoring two touchdowns.
Woods’ versatility transcends the defense, too. In fact, Woods logged 15 offensive snaps in 2025, scoring two touchdowns.
Simply put, Head Coach Andy Reid – who famously schemed up former defensive tackle Dontari Poe to multiple scores during his career – could have some fun with Woods.
5. Woods grew up in Greensboro, Alabama.
A native of Greensboro, which lies about 30 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Woods starred at Thompson High School in nearby Alabaster after earning a spot on the varsity roster as an eighth grader.
He earned state “Player of the Year” honors as a senior and garnered national attention, checking in as the No. 4 defensive lineman in the country according to various recruiting services.
Woods ultimately landed at Clemson following a high-profile recruiting process, and after three years with the Tigers, Woods is headed to Kansas City.
