A new 2026 NFL mock draft from this national outlet has a quartet of Clemson Tigers coming off the board in Round 1.
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson currently projects four Clemson players to be picked in the first round – defensive tackle Peter Woods, defensive end T.J. Parker, cornerback Avieon Terrell and wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Wilson’s mock draft has Woods going to the New Orleans Saints with the third overall pick.
“Peter Woods is a powerful, explosive interior defensive lineman who consistently wins at the point of attack with violent hands, low pad level and exceptional strength,” Wilson wrote. “He’s immovable against the run — stacking, shedding and disrupting plays in the backfield while maintaining gap integrity — and can overwhelm interior blockers. Though not reliant on a deep move set, Woods’ athleticism, effort and persistence allow him to collapse pockets and create chaos from multiple alignments.”
Parker is projected to go three picks later to the Tennessee Titans at No. 6 overall.
“T.J. Parker is an explosive, high-motor edge rusher with the juice to both collapse pockets with a bull rush and the bend to win around the corner,” Wilson wrote. “He’s stout and disciplined against the run, from setting the edge to blowing up plays in the backfield with his quickness. He shows surprising versatility, with the athleticism to drop into coverage from wide alignments and disrupt passing lanes.”
Wilson sees Terrell being taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the 14th overall selection.
“Avieon Terrell has NFL bloodlines — his brother is former first-round pick A.J. Terrell,” Wilson wrote. “Avieon plays bigger than his listed size (see his matchup in 2024 against former Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor). He can stay in phase on vertical routes and has good ball skills, and he will try to bait the quarterback into making throws. In run support, he plays outside CB like he’s a strong safety.”
Rounding out the Clemson selections in Wilson’s mock draft is Williams (No. 28 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs).
“Antonio Williams’ start to 2025 has been marred by a hamstring injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s Cade Klubnik’s go-to guy,” Wilson wrote. “He was targeted 103 times in 2024. And while he had eight drops, he consistently wins off the line of scrimmage vs. physical corners, can get open at all three levels, and has legit separation ability. He can play outside, in the slot and has punt-return ability.”
If the Tigers were to have four first-round picks as Wilson predicts, that would break the Clemson record for players taken in the first round of an NFL Draft, as that record (three) came in 2019 when Clelin Ferrell (No. 4 to Raiders), Christian Wilkins (No. 13 to Dolphins) and Dexter Lawrence (No. 17 to Giants) were selected in the opening round.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.