Alexander Turri, Clemson WireSat, November 22, 2025 at 1:56 AM UTC·1 min readESPN’s Matt Miller dropped a new set of 2026 draft predictions this week, and two defenders made his early-round cut. Junior linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker were both projected inside the top 20.
Woods was slotted to Minnesota at No. 12, a move Miller connected to the Vikings’ long-term need up front:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“In 2025 mock drafts, the Vikings were a prime candidate to address defensive tackle early,” Miller wrote. “They chose the free agent route instead with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but both players are on the wrong side of 30. So a need still remains.
“Woods, who was the preseason No. 1 player for some scouts, is a three-down threat at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. His stat line isn’t a jaw-dropper… but he rarely loses a rep… getting the draft’s best defensive tackle here would be a steal.”
Six picks later, Parker landed with Detroit at No. 18 as the pass rusher Miller thinks the Lions have been missing:
“Aidan Hutchinson is a one-man show on Detroit’s defensive line…,” he wrote.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Parker… plays the edge with length and strength that are pro-caliber… exactly what Detroit needs opposite Hutchinson in a 4-3 scheme.”
Before this season began, Parker had already totaled 105 tackles, 32 for loss and 16.5 sacks. Woods entered 2025 with 59 tackles and 11 TFLs.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23–25 in Pittsburgh.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Two Clemson Tigers are in Matt Miller’s 2026 NFL mock draft
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