Longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his new 2026 NFL mock draft.

Kiper’s second mock of this year’s draft features three Clemson players as projected first-round selections, and Kiper weighed in with his thoughts on each of them.

Kiper has Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods going to the New York Jets with the No. 16 overall pick.

Woods was credited with 99 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups over 35 games (24 starts) in his Clemson career from 2023-25. He was a freshman All-American in 2023, and in 2025, he became Clemson’s first All-American at defensive tackle since Christian Wilkins’ unanimous selection in 2018. Woods was the only player in America in 2025 to record multiple games with both a sack and a rushing touchdown.

“The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I’ll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around,” Kiper wrote. “Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they’ve lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn’t have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York.”

Near the end of the first round, Kiper projects Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller to be selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 29th overall pick.

Miller broke the Clemson record for career snaps from scrimmage, playing 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career games (all starts) from 2022-25. A hard-nosed iron man, Miller started every game Clemson played in his entire four-year career and also set the Clemson record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist with 54. He followed his 2022 freshman All-American season with three consecutive All-ACC seasons and joined Mitch Hyatt (four), Jeb Flesch (three) and Tyrone Crowder (three) as the fourth offensive lineman in school history to be a three-time All-ACC honoree.

“Rob Havenstein retired, and Warren McClendon Jr. is entering the final year of his deal. That means there could be a big hole at right tackle,” Kiper wrote. “Miller has 54 career starts, and his game just keeps growing on me. In pass protection, he stays square and handles most pass-rush moves with ease. And as a run blocker, he can get to the second level to spring big gains. The blocking is so important to the Rams’ excellent run game, and having a savvy right tackle is key.”

Rounding out the trio of Clemson players in Kiper’s latest mock draft is cornerback Avieon Terrell, whom Kiper has going to the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 32 overall pick – the final pick of the first round.

A 2025 All-American and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, Terrell was credited with 128 tackles (nine for loss), 30 pass breakups, three interceptions, four sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 39 games (31 starts) in his career as a Tiger from 2023-25. The two-time All-ACC selection set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and a career (eight), and he led all cornerbacks nationally in forced fumbles across his three-year Clemson career.

“Let’s close out Round 1 with a talented cornerback to replace free agents Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, giving this Super Bowl champion defense yet another playmaker,” Kiper wrote. “The brother of A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon Terrell can fly in coverage, and he had 27 pass breakups over three seasons. He could slide into the lineup opposite Devon Witherspoon, with Nick Emmanwori in the slot.”

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

Kiper’s updated NFL Draft Big Board rankings don’t have any Clemson players ranked among the top 25 overall prospects in this year’s draft class. As for Kiper’s position rankings, he has Woods as the third-best defensive tackle, Terrell as the third-best cornerback and Miller as the No. 8 offensive tackle.

Kiper also ranks Clemson’s T.J. Parker as the third-best outside linebacker in this year’s draft class and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik as the No. 7 quarterback.

As for Woods, Kiper recently discussed Woods as being a potential NFL Draft “steal.”