The Carolina Panthers might’ve snuck into the playoffs with an 8-9 record, but don’t let that fool you-this team is already gearing up to take a serious step forward in 2026. After a quick Wild Card exit, the Panthers are locked into the 19th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, and if the latest mock projections are any indication, they could be targeting a game-changer in the trenches.
According to Pro Football Focus, Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods could be Carolina’s pick at No. 19. And if that happens, it could be a serious problem for the rest of the NFC South-especially for the Falcons and their star running back, Bijan Robinson.
Now, Woods might not be a household name just yet, but the tape and the tools speak volumes. At 6'3", 315 pounds, the Clemson junior has been a force in the middle, racking up 12 tackles for loss and a forced fumble over the past two seasons.
He’s a classic run-stuffer with a rare combination of size, strength, and explosiveness. Scouts rave about his raw power-he reportedly squats 700 pounds and benches 490.
That’s not just weight room legend stuff-that’s the kind of strength that can anchor a defensive front and reset the line of scrimmage.
NFL Draft Buzz gave Woods an 87.9 prospect rating and tagged him with a mid-first-round grade, which lines up perfectly with Carolina’s draft position. If he’s still on the board when the Panthers are on the clock, it could be an easy call for GM Dan Morgan.
Why? Because Carolina’s run defense was a glaring weakness in 2025.
The Panthers gave up 122.9 rushing yards per game-bottom half of the league-and allowed 120+ yards on the ground in 10 different games. Five times, they gave up 145 or more.
That’s not the kind of stat line you want when you’re trying to win a division that includes one of the league’s most electrifying young backs.
Bijan Robinson has made a habit of torching the Panthers. In 2025, he averaged 127 all-purpose yards per game against them.
The year before, that number was even higher-139 yards per game in two matchups. And a big part of that success came from exploiting the soft middle of Carolina’s defensive line.
A'Shawn Robinson and Bobby Brown were supposed to plug those gaps, but neither lived up to expectations. According to PFF, Robinson ranked 42nd among interior defensive linemen, while Brown came in at 80th.
Both are under contract through at least 2026, but production like that doesn’t exactly scream “long-term solution.” That puts the Panthers’ front office in a tough spot: ride it out with underperforming veterans, or admit the need for reinforcements and bring in a young, high-upside defender like Woods to pair with Pro Bowler Derrick Brown.
The answer to that question could define Carolina’s offseason-and their trajectory in a division that’s suddenly more competitive than it’s been in years. If Woods lands in Charlotte, Bijan Robinson’s path to dominance in the NFC South gets a whole lot tougher.
Falcons fans will be watching closely. They’ve seen Robinson carve up the Panthers before, and they’ll be hoping Carolina decides to pass on a player who could help shut that down. But if the Panthers make the smart move and plug that hole in the middle with a powerhouse like Woods, the balance of power in the division might start to shift.
Bottom line: Carolina has a real opportunity to shore up one of its biggest weaknesses, and in doing so, make life a lot harder for one of the division’s brightest stars. April’s draft could be pivotal-not just for the Panthers, but for the entire NFC South.