With the 2026 NFL Draft creeping closer, mock drafts are starting to heat up - and one recent projection has the New Orleans Saints making a splash on the defensive side of the ball. In this scenario, the Saints are pegged to take Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the No. 8 overall pick.
On paper, it’s a move that would inject some serious power into their defensive front. But when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture in New Orleans, the question becomes: is that the right move?
Let’s start with what Woods brings to the table - because there’s a lot to like.
Peter Woods: A Wrecking Ball in the Trenches
Woods is the kind of player who doesn’t always fill up the stat sheet, but his impact is felt on nearly every snap. His 2025 numbers - two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss - might look modest, but they don't tell the full story.
What they don’t show is how often he disrupts plays before they even get going. Whether it’s collapsing the pocket or blowing up a run lane, Woods has a knack for forcing offenses to adjust.
He’s elite when it comes to shedding blocks. His hand technique is already NFL-ready, and once he disengages, his raw power takes over.
It’s not uncommon to see him toss linemen aside and close in on the ball carrier like a heat-seeking missile. That kind of strength and explosiveness is why teams often have to throw double-teams his way - and even then, he finds ways to make noise.
And then there’s the athleticism. Woods isn’t just strong - he’s a rare athlete for his size.
He landed at No. 5 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List for a reason. With a 4.86 40-yard dash, a 33-inch vertical, and weight room numbers that would make a powerlifter blush (490-pound bench, 700-pound squat), Woods is an athletic outlier.
That kind of burst off the line is a nightmare for interior linemen, who often find themselves on their heels before the ball is even fully snapped.
So yes, Peter Woods is a problem - in the best way. But even with all that upside, the Saints might need to look in a different direction come draft night.
The Saints’ Bigger Priority: Offensive Firepower
The Saints’ defensive line isn’t a finished product, but it’s not in dire straits either. Brian Bresee, their first-round pick from 2023, has shown flashes and is developing into a solid presence up front. Adding Woods would certainly bolster the unit, but it wouldn’t solve the Saints’ most pressing issue: the offense.
More specifically, they need to figure out what they have in quarterback Tyler Shough.
The 2026 season has to be about giving Shough a real shot. That means surrounding him with enough talent that there are no excuses - no “what ifs” about the supporting cast.
And if you watched the Saints’ offense in Week 18, you know that the current group of weapons isn’t going to cut it. They need help, and they need it fast.
That’s why targeting a dynamic playmaker in the first round makes so much sense. Whether it’s a wide receiver, a running back, or even a tight end, the Saints need someone who can tilt the field and give Shough a reliable option. It’s less about the position and more about the impact - someone who can create separation, stretch the field, and take pressure off the quarterback.
A top-tier receiver is the most obvious choice, and there should be plenty of talent available in that range. But if the right running back or tight end is on the board and fits what the Saints want to do offensively, that’s a move worth considering too.
The Bottom Line
There’s no denying Peter Woods is a high-upside, high-impact player. He’s the kind of defensive tackle who can anchor a front seven and change the tone of a defense. But for the Saints, this draft is about clarity at quarterback - and that means investing in the offense.
If New Orleans is serious about evaluating Tyler Shough as a long-term answer under center, they need to give him the tools to succeed. That starts with adding a playmaker who can elevate the offense from Day 1. Woods might be the best defensive tackle on the board, but in this case, the Saints may be better served looking for someone who can move the chains - and move the needle - on offense.