Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Bengals love to go into the draft with at least one glaring need. This year, will that need be on the interior defensive line? Sure, they have Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson going into their third years, but neither has been able to be that impact player. B.J. Hill does have two years left on his contract, but the Bengals need help.
Peter Woods has been a popular pick for the Bengals’ first-round pick for a while. He’s a big, physical, dominating presence in an area where it’s difficult to be one. He started off his career strong as a true freshman and has three seasons of starting experience at a Power 4 program, something the Bengals love.
🔥 WHY HE PROJECTS ELITE
Elite interior defenders check these:
1.Power at point of attack ✅
2.Explosiveness ✅https://t.co/N0QH49dHK6 defense reliability ✅
4.Positional versatility ✅
5.Pass rush upside ✅Woods checks every box.
Peter Woods is the kind of DL you draft and… pic.twitter.com/ucEWQz85M4
— Korey 🐅 (@BengalsKorey) January 6, 2026
In his three seasons with Clemson, Woods amassed 84 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, a pass breakup, and two forced fumbles. Sure, that doesn’t leap off the page for the 10th-overall pick, but he’s a defensive tackle; those big stats are harder to come by.
He has better burst off the line than you’d expect from a defensive tackle. Plus, he could move around the line, opening things up for Stewart, Murphy, etc. He can collapse the pocket from inside, something the Bengals have been missing for years.
He could be considered a project, so insert eye roll here.
