A new mock draft from this national outlet has three Clemson players as first-round picks in next spring’s NFL Draft – and two of those teaming up with various former Tigers in the league.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) released a new 2026 NFL mock draft, which projects Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods to be taken by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 10th overall pick.
The Bengals currently have three Clemson pros on their roster – linebacker Barrett Carter, defensive end Myles Murphy and wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Woods was teammates at Clemson with Carter, who was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“The Bengals have drafted a defensive lineman in the top 50 in each of the last three drafts, yet they still need more impact along the front,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote. “Woods didn’t deliver the season his potential suggests, but his ceiling remains very high. Safety Caleb Downs could also be a strong possibility here, depending on how Cincinnati views first-round value at the position.”
PFF’s 2026 mock draft projects Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell to be picked by the New York Giants with the No. 31 overall selection.
Of course, that means Terrell would be playing on the same Giants defense as former Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
“After landing a difference-making wide receiver with their first of two selections in Round 1 via their trade with the Rams, I have the Giants turning to cornerback,” Sikkema wrote. “Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons corner A.J. Terrell, is on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he’s feisty and physical, evidenced by his eight forced fumbles in college. He can play inside or outside, similar to Andru Phillips.”
PFF’s mock draft also has Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 20th overall pick. The Buccaneers currently don’t have any former Clemson players on their roster.
“The Bucs would love to get their hands on linebacker Sonny Styles from Ohio State if he falls to them, but he didn’t in this scenario — and he’s likely the only first-round linebacker they’d consider,” Sikkema wrote. “They also have a major need for a true one-on-one pass-rush winner off the edge. It hasn’t been the best year for Parker, but at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, with run-defense and pass-rush grades above 76.0 and a 15.4% pass-rush win rate, Tampa Bay will take that kind of all-around player.”
Woods, Terrell and Parker all officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft this week.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
The Clemson record for players taken in the first round of an NFL Draft (three) came in 2019 when Clelin Ferrell (No. 4 to Raiders), Christian Wilkins (No. 13 to Dolphins) and Lawrence (No. 17 to Giants) were selected in the opening round.