This week, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates released his first 2026 mock draft since before the 2025 college football season kicked off.
Yates projects a pair of Clemson players – defensive tackle Peter Woods and cornerback Avieon Terrell – to be first-round picks in next spring’s NFL Draft.
Yates has Woods going to the Baltimore Ravens with the 13th overall pick and sees the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder as a first-round “lock.”
“With Travis Jones scheduled for free agency and Nnamdi Madubuike out for the year with a serious neck injury, defensive tackle is an area of need for Baltimore,” Yates wrote. “It’s always wise to look beyond the box score with defensive tackle prospects, and that’s especially the case with Woods. He has only 5.0 sacks in three seasons, but he can create havoc at the line of scrimmage. Woods has the agility and quickness that could allow him to move out to the edge for some snaps as well. His overall length is a question mark for some scouts, as he has sub-32-inch arms and is listed at 6-2. Regardless, he’s a lock in the first round.”
The Ravens currently have three Clemson pros on their roster – wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, linebacker Trenton Simpson, and Woods’ former Tiger teammate, cornerback Nate Wiggins.
Meanwhile, Yates predicts Terrell to be selected five picks after Woods and go to the New York Giants with the 18th overall pick, via a projected trade with the New York Jets.
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 our projected trade, the Giants get their second chance to hammer away at needs by addressing cornerback, where Deonte Banks has struggled this season and Cor’Dale Flott will be a free agent,” Yates wrote. “The younger brother of Falcons star cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon has some big-time game of his own. He’s on the smaller side at 5-11 and 180 pounds, but he makes up for it with excellent quickness to trigger back to the ball in coverage. He’s also a very capable blitzer and disruptor, recording 3.0 sacks and five forced fumbles this season. The Giants are giving up the ninth-most passing yards per game this season (231.5).”
Terrell and Woods, both juniors, have officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Over his three-year career, Terrell has been credited with 125 tackles, three interceptions, four sacks, nine tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, while Woods has been credited with 84 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles over his three years as a Tiger.
Each of them earned first-team All-ACC selections by both the league and the AP this season.