This week, ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller released his new predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Miller projected a pair of Clemson players to be taken among the top 18 overall picks — junior defensive tackle Peter Woods and junior defensive end T.J. Parker. 

Miller’s 2026 NFL mock draft has Woods going to the Minnesota Vikings with the 12th overall selection. 

“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, with 2.0 sacks and nine pressures, but he rarely loses a rep. In that way, he’s similar to Quinnen Williams coming out of Alabama — and he could develop similar skills as a 3-technique. The Vikings could also look at a safety to replace veteran Harrison Smith or an extra wide receiver to play in the slot, but getting the draft’s best defensive tackle here would be a steal.”

Six picks later, Miller sees Parker being taken by the Detroit Lions with the No. 18 overall pick. 

“Aidan Hutchinson is a one-man show on Detroit’s defensive line, which ranks dead last in pass rush win rate since offenses are able to key on him,” Miller wrote. 

“Parker is the type of running mate we’ve tried to match to Detroit in mock drafts for several years now. At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, he plays the edge with length and strength that are pro-caliber, which led to 11.0 sacks as a sophomore in 2024. While he has only 2.0 sacks this season as offenses slide to stop him, Parker’s effort and upper-body strength are exactly what Detroit needs opposite Hutchinson in a 4-3 scheme.”

Parker entered the 2025 season with 105 tackles (32.0 for loss), 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups over 27 career games (17 starts), while Woods went into 2025 with 59 tackles (11.0 for loss), 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles across 23 career games (12 starts).

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.