With the 29th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Defensive Lineman Peter Woods.
He played three seasons at Clemson, appearing in 35 games and making 24 starts.
During the 2025 season, Woods recorded a career-high 30 tackles, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass deflection. He earned AP Second-Team All-American honors and was named First-Team All-ACC for his performance.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2026 NFL Draft with nine total picks, including two first-round selections at No. 9 and No. 29. A lot of early attention focused on potential trade scenarios, which eventually happened when it was announced that the Chiefs traded up with the Cleveland Browns for pick 6, in exchange for No. 9, 74, and 148. With that move, they chose LSU CB Mansoor Delane to try to fill the glaring hole left by the Trent McDuffie trade.
This still left Kansas City holding the No. 29 overall pick, where they took Woods.
At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, Woods may not be the biggest defensive lineman in the 2026 draft class, but his production stands out. At Clemson’s Pro Day, he reportedly recorded a 1.67-second 10-yard split, along with a 4.54-second short shuttle and a 7.70-second three-cone drill.
NFL Insider Breaks Down Woods’ Strengths and Areas for Growth
While Woods has some areas to improve, including shorter arm length, analysts believe he has the tools to succeed at the next level. Ahead of the draft, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered a detailed breakdown of his skill set.
“Woods is a young interior defender with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s not a pure one- or two-gap fit, but he’s capable in both schemes. He plays with good lower-body explosiveness into initial contact, keeping his hands and feet synced to work around blocks when needed. He’s more of an active brawler than double-team eating tree stump.
“Shorter arms allow blockers to crowd his frame and force him to fight harder at the point. Yet, his ability to overtake and win as the rep progresses is impressive. He lacks quick-win talent as a solo rusher, but he’s fully functional as part of a pocket-collapsing collective. His 2024 tape might be a better representation of his upside, but Woods clearly has the potential to become a solid starter in an even front.”
Chiefs Build Roster Depth With No. 29 Pick After Trading Up for Delane
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2026 NFL Draft looking to reshape parts of their roster after a busy offseason. The team added several pieces in free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III, safety Alohi Gilman, and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, and also brought back Travis Kelce on a one-year deal.
Kansas City didn’t wait long to make a move on draft night. The Chiefs traded up from No. 9 to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns to select cornerback Delane, addressing a clear need in the secondary. It marked the team’s first top-10 pick since selecting Patrick Mahomes in 2017.
Even after that move, the draft remained an important opportunity to add more young talent. With the No. 29 overall pick, the Chiefs selected Peter Woods, continuing their effort to build depth and strengthen the roster heading into a rebuilding 2026 season.
The Chiefs will continue their draft with several picks over the next two days. After the first round, they hold the No. 40 overall selection in Round 2, followed by No. 109 overall in Round 4. In Round 5, Kansas City has two picks at No. 169 overall (via the Los Angeles Rams) and No. 176 overall (compensatory). The team will then wrap up its current draft slate with the No. 210 overall pick in Round 6, which was also acquired from the Rams.
Stay up to date on every move in the 2026 NFL Draft with Heavy.com’s live blog of events.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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