The Dallas Cowboys are currently in the middle of a massive defensive tackle renovation project. Last season, they were busy working the phones to bring in heavy hitters like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark to anchor the middle of the line. At the same time, the front office has shown the door to players who did not fit the new vision, trading away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas to clear space for a specific type of interior monster.
Even with veteran star power already in the building, the roster
still needs a young injection of pure chaos to keep the rotation fresh. If the goal is to make opposing quarterbacks feel like they are being chased by a runaway freight train, there is one specific prospect from the ACC who should be at the very top of the draft board.
DT, Peter Woods, Clemson
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 298 pounds | Speed: 4.75 forty time
Background
This young man arrived at Clemson looking less like a freshman and more like a finished product built in a secret laboratory. He earned Freshman All-American honors right out of the gate by leading all Tiger defensive tackles in pressures and showing a terrifying level of strength. During his sophomore season, he was so athletic that the coaching staff started moving him all over the line to ruin everyone’s afternoon. He even got some reps on the offensive side of the ball as a jumbo package fullback because, apparently, being a defensive superstar was not enough for him.
Strengths
His game starts with a first step that is so fast it probably should be illegal in most states. He fires off the ball with the kind of suddenness that catches interior linemen mid-blink, often winning the rep before the center can even finish snapping the ball. His hand usage is incredibly violent and efficient, allowing him to club blockers aside like they are inconveniently placed furniture. What truly separates him from other big men is his elite athletic ability and body control, which allows him to stop on a dime or bend around a corner in a way that someone nearly 300 pounds should not be able to do.
He is a versatile chess piece who can play any technique from a nose tackle to a wide edge rusher without losing any of his effectiveness. His range is spectacular for a defensive tackle, as he has the speed to chase down running backs all the way to the sidelines. He plays with a high motor that never seems to run out of gas, frequently making second-effort plays that leave scouts shaking their heads in disbelief. He is essentially a ball of concentrated energy that creates constant backfield disruptions.
Weaknesses
While he is a physical marvel, he can sometimes get a little too aggressive for his own good. His gap discipline can get a bit wonky when he tries to play hero ball, occasionally opening up lanes for savvy runners to exploit. There are moments where his tackling can get a bit sloppy because he relies on his raw power rather than wrapping up perfectly. He also has a tendency to stall out on certain reps if his initial burst does not immediately land a blow, leading to him getting caught in a stalemate with longer offensive linemen.
The Fit
He fits perfectly into what Christian Parker is trying to build with this aggressive Cowboys defensive scheme. Parker loves defensive linemen who can penetrate and cause havoc rather than just sitting there and absorbing blocks. His ability to line up at multiple spots allows the coaching staff to get creative with their blitz packages and stunt movements. His explosive nature and high motor align exactly with the culture of effort and speed that this new era of trench warfare is preaching to its front four.
The Final Word
He is widely projected to be drafted in the bottom half of the first round, sitting in a perfect position for the Cowboys’ 20th overall pick. Fans might lose their mind if Dallas used one of their top draft resources at a position where they are already loaded, especially with so many other needs, but collecting the top college talent should always be the goal. Woods would step in as a rotational piece and give the Cowboys one of the most feared interior pass rushes in the entire league. The team has always guessed wrong on defensive tackles when they went into the draft with a huge need, but what if one of the top talents just falls into their lap? Selecting Woods ensures the Cowboys’ defensive line remains a nightmare for the next decade.
