Despite their relatively close proximity to Clemson University, the Carolina Panthers have never drafted a Tiger in their 30-year history. But that changed . . . at least in a very early projection from the worldwide leader.
ESPN’s Matt Miller has just cooked up a 2026 mock draft for the start of the week. For the Panthers, who are selecting from the sixth overall spot, Miller goes with Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.
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He writes:
The Panthers bucked conventional wisdom with their 2025 first-rounder, eschewing a defense that finished last in EPA for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick. They did add edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on Day 2, so now it’s time for them to get defensive tackle Derrick Brown some help. That’s where the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Woods comes in. He posted three sacks and 17 pressures in 11 games this season, and his quickness and leverage would be a welcome fit in Carolina’s revamped defense.
Part of that revamped defense now includes former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, who signed with Carolina on a three-year, $45 million deal out of free agency. So if the Panthers end up using their next first-rounder at the position, then that relationship probably wouldn’t be getting off to the best start.
Regardless, Woods could help patch up a trench that was largely responsible for allowing a league-high 179.8 rushing yards per game this past season. The Greensboro, Ala. native received a stellar 87.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus—the eighth-highest amongst all FBS defensive linemen in 2024.
Oh, and he’s a Tiger—so he’d get some bonus points for being a part of a little Carolina history.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers make a little history in ESPN’s early 2026 NFL mock draft