2 Last-Minute Mock Drafts Go against the Grain for Vikings
If you’re an intense follower of Minnesota Vikings-themed mock drafts, you’ve probably gleaned that the frontrunners to turn purple on Thursday night are two Oregon Ducks: Dillon Thieneman (safety) and Kenyon Sadiq (tight end). But down the stretch of the mock draft cycle, don’t rule out Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.
The mock tide shifted late. Woods entered the mix.
Woods has wiggled into a couple of last-minute mocks; he could the guy for Minnesota.
A Clemson DT Emerges as a Real Minnesota Match
Don’t rule a DT for Brian Flores’s defense.
Todd McShay’s Mock
McShay, formerly of ESPN, works for The Ringer now, and he revealed Woods as his Vikings’ mock draft prediction on Wednesday.
He explained, “Woods has been catching a lot of buzz in conversations I’ve been having recently—full circle from earlier in the process—and the league seems to be coming back around on his traits despite a quieter 2025 season. The Vikings run a one-gap scheme under Brian Flores, and Woods fits well there. Plus, they released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.”
And you know what? You really can’t fault the logic there. After all, during Flores’s first draft in Miami seven years, he made defensive tackle Christian Wilkins his first pick, a very Woods-esque selection.
PFSN, Too
McShay wasn’t alone. Pro Football Network‘s Cameron Sheath joined him with the Woods pronostication, writing, “Having been beaten to Thieneman, the Vikings pivot to another area of need. Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen both left in free agency, and Peter Woods immediately steps into one of those vacant spots as the first defensive tackle off the board.”
“Brian Flores will continue to cook up different disguises and play calls to keep quarterbacks guessing, but he’ll need a strong anchor up front, and Woods certainly provides that.”
Interestingly, Sheath published a 3-Round mock, and this was the Vikings’ haul:
- Peter Woods, Clemson | DT
- A.J. Haulcy, LSU | S
- Logan Jones, Iowa | C
- Devin Moore, Florida | CB
The Case for Woods
If you’re new to the 2026 draft process, Woods is considered the best or second-best defensive tackle in this class, depending on one’s thoughts on Kayden McDonald, a nose tackle from Ohio State. This rookie crop isn’t necessarily known for DT majesty, but Woods and McDonald should find their way off the draft board in the first 40 picks, perhaps both on Thursday night in Round 1.
During his final two seasons at Clemson, Woods recorded 5 sacks and consistently disrupted plays before they could develop. Film analysis reveals him as a disruptive interior defender, utilizing a violent swipe move to shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield with exceptional quickness.
His testing numbers further highlight his impressive movement skills. Woods’ 4.75-second forty-yard dash is remarkably fast for a defensive tackle, aligning perfectly with the quick first step and leverage evident on film.
The burst is contained within his 6’2,” 300-pound frame, making him exceptionally agile for his size.
Bleacher Report‘s Matt Holder on Woods: “Good size with impressive movement skills and quickness for a defensive tackle. Plenty of upper body strength and pop in his hands to stand up offensive linemen and gain control of the block.”
“Also is quick to shoot his hands and keeps his hands tight to protect his chest. Very good at getting off blocks, stack-and-shedding looks easy for him and has a hump move to escape, too. Has the combination of power and movement skills to develop into a quality pass-rusher down the line.”
Holder also issued Jeffery Simmons as Woods’s NFL comp. Not bad.
First DT since Sharrif Floyd?
It’s time for the Vikings to pick a defensive tackle early in a draft. They never do it.
The last time was 13 years ago, when Rick Spielman chose Sharrif Floyd, whose career was cut short by a nasty injury. Since then, Minnesota signed Linval Joseph for six seasons and vacillated between a hodgepodge of defensive tackles.
Most teams take DT swings in the draft more frequently than every 13 years. Minnesota should get with the program and leave this year’s draft with an interior defensive lineman before the end of Friday, especially with Allen and Hargrave off the roster.
Woods will turn 22 next offseason. The guy has youth on his side. There’s also a small chance that the Vikings can trade down from their 18th spot on Thursday night and still draft Woods. His stock is near the end of Round 1, per draft pundits, putting a trade and Woods pick in play.
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