The Chargers select Clemson DT Peter Woods in Mel Kiper’s first 2026 mock draft of the year.
Everyone and their mother knows that the Chargers’ biggest need this offseason is reinforcements along the interior offensive line. However, there are still plenty of draft analysts that believe the Bolts could stand to upgrade the interior of their defensive line.
To be quite honest, I’m not entirely sure where this pressing need seems to be coming from. The Chargers finished the 2025 regular season as the eight-best defense against the run. Veteran Teair Tart had arguably the best season of his career and it’s highly unlikely he plays elsewhere given that LA is the only place he’s played up to this level (they’re also no doubt the team will give him his worth this offseason). The team also just drafted Jamaree Caldwell in the third round a year ago and he played as the other starter in the middle for most of the season.
Still, ESPN’s Mel Kiper believes the Bolts need an upgraded presence along the interior, it’s just not the side of the ball that most fans would agree with. In his first mock of the year for the 2026 draft, Kiper has the Chargers taking Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 22nd-overall pick.
“Woods looked like a top-10 pick heading into the season, but the production dipped, and here he is outside the top 20,“ says Kiper. ”The Chargers won’t complain, though. They would love to bring in a talented 3-technique with strength and versatility. At his best, Woods can wreck an opponent’s game plan. Can coach Jim Harbaugh (and maybe defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, if he isn’t hired elsewhere as a head coach) get Woods’ game back to that level? If so, he’d be a really good replacement for free agent Teair Tart.“
The 6’4, 310-pound Woods was seen as the top defensive tackle in the draft prior to the 2025 season. However, after recording eight tackles for loss and three sacks a year ago, those numbers dropped to 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks this season which is not what you want to see from a player projected to go early on day one.
A fun fact: Woods was used as a goal-line back for the Tigers in 2025, earning eight carries for 15 yards and scoring twice.
New Scott Matlock 2.0? One can hope.
Is this a pick you would like to see the Chargers make in April? Is offensive guard or center simply too high of a priority to consider anything else in the first round? Let us know all of your thoughts below!
Category: General Sports
