On Tuesday, The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert, Dane Brugler, revisited his initial 2026 NFL Draft board to see which of his preseason rankings held up through the conclusion of the draft last month. The top-50 ranking was published in August, before the 2025 college season began.
At the very top of the list was one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ draft picks, and it wasn’t the player selected with the No. 6 pick.
1. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Final ranking: No. 35 Where he was drafted: No. 29 (Kansas City Chiefs)
This didn’t age well.
Based on exciting flashes in his 2024 season, Woods was trending toward becoming a top-five pick, which was my opinion and shared by many around the NFL. Unfortunately, Woods not only fell short of those expectations in 2025, but he also appeared to regress. That he still ended up a first-round pick speaks to his raw talent and potential, even if it is still unrealized at this point.
The Chiefs’ first-round defensive lineman was once considered the top-ranked player in the class by one of the draft industry’s most insightful analysts, and Brugler was not the only source ranking him atop their preseason boards.
Woods was not joined by cornerback Mansoor Delane on the top-50 list; Delane had yet to play for LSU after three seasons at Virginia Tech.
However, Kansas City’s second-round pick made an appearance in a fitting range of Brugler’s board.
44. R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma
Final Ranking: No. 44
Where he was drafted: No. 40 (Kansas City Chiefs)Thomas finished exactly where he started and was drafted very close to that ranking. His lack of size was always going to make the first round a tall order, but NFL teams felt great about his value in Round 2.
My take
It may not be worth pointing out, but regardless, Delane’s absence could speak to the volatility of the cornerback position, or does it speak to reasons for skepticism in the large investment in the draft’s top corner?
It’s a similar path to a top-10 pick at the position as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was not considered as high a pick before his final season at college. He did not appear in ESPN’s preseason rankings for the 2023 draft class, which included 18 cornerbacks. Witherspoon has proven his value as a top-5 pick, culminating in an impactful performance to help Seattle win Super Bowl LX.
So it’s probably not worth thinking twice about — but Woods’ ranking of No. 1 is absolutely noteworthy.
That is an honor that feels rare for an interior defensive lineman at any point in the draft cycle, something that felt reserved for the no-doubt talent of a player like Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was considered a similarly-ranked prospect leading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Whether his drop in the rankings can be blamed on the scheme, the coaching staff or himself, it emphasizes the type of defensive lineman Kansas City took a swing on late in the first round, a much different strategy than another late-round first pick for the defensive line: Felix Anudike-Uzomah in 2023.
It has been said many times that worthwhile line talent, real difference makers in the trenches, are difficult to acquire without a selection within the top 10-15 picks. Well, the Chiefs passed on a rare opportunity to invest that high a pick in the position, but found the best possible consolation prize in taking a player at pick 29 who, less than a year ago, was regarded as the top player in the pool of prospects, regardless of position.
His unique athleticism at more than 300 pounds stood out to Brugler and others, and Chiefs general manager Brett Veach didn’t forget about it when his 2025 performance was subpar on paper (and in reality, by all accounts).
Woods’ ceiling may never be realized, but it’s higher than any defensive lineman the Chiefs have drafted since 2016, the year Kansas City selected defensive tackle Chris Jones in a similar range as Woods.
The preseason ranking strengthens the logic surrounding the decision. There is a path in Woods’ career where he looks like a top pick, and that alone is rock-solid reasoning to pass on other players in a similar range to prioritize him.
