2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

MaroonBells wrote:
It's early, but with the exception of Styles, Downs and Love, this is the guy I want to see available at 18. Peter Woods, 6-3, 310, Clemson. Ideal size for a 3-down DT, plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. Versatile, played nose, 3-tech and even edge for the Tigers. Can beat a double team and his effort on every snap is 110%. Rumors of a 700 lb squat and a 4.86 forty. His issue is going to be arm length. 

I think the arm length thing has been put to rest hasn't it?  Ive seen several videos showing that proper hand techniques and speed are way more important in winning at the LOS than arm length,  which has largely been negated by increased athleticism in the trenches.  Basically the best man wins,  not the most physically endowed.... at least in arm length.

MaroonBells wrote:
It's early, but with the exception of Styles, Downs and Love, this is the guy I want to see available at 18. Peter Woods, 6-3, 310, Clemson. Ideal size for a 3-down DT, plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. Versatile, played nose, 3-tech and even edge for the Tigers. Can beat a double team and his effort on every snap is 110%. Rumors of a 700 lb squat and a 4.86 forty. His issue is going to be arm length. 

Arm length isn't his only issue. It's not even his biggest issue. He was less productive last season compared to 2024. That's a red flag for me.

After watching Seattle's DL dismantle NE, I'm all for drafting an IDL at #18. But, right now I'm leaning towards Kayden McDonald, Ohio State or Lee Hunter, Texas Tech.

JimmyinSD wrote:
I think the arm length thing has been put to rest hasn't it?  Ive seen several videos showing that proper hand techniques and speed are way more important in winning at the LOS than arm length,  which has largely been negated by increased athleticism in the trenches.  Basically the best man wins,  not the most physically endowed.... at least in arm length.

I think arm length is just one piece of the puzzle.  People probably attach too much importance to it. I see it like top-level arm strength for QBs. It gives you an advantage but it sure as hell doesn’t mean you’re going to be a great QB if you have it, and a bad one if you don’t.

Knucklehead wrote:

Arm length isn't his only issue. It's not even his biggest issue. He was less productive last season compared to 2024. That's a red flag for me.

After watching Seattle's DL dismantle NE, I'm all for drafting an IDL at #18. But, right now I'm leaning towards Kayden McDonald, Ohio State or Lee Hunter, Texas Tech.

I think the fact that Clemson wasn’t very good last year had an impact. All of the Clemson draft-eligible players have taken a hit because of that. 

But I’m not really a production guy anyway. For better or worse, I’m more about traits that translate to the next level. For example, the guy who has the most sacks in college football history, Jaylon Ferguson with 45, didn’t do anything in the NFL. A guy who had 4.5 sack (Danielle Hunter) is an All Pro. Another thing about Woods, like Hunter at the time, he’s very young, only 20 years old.

Knucklehead wrote:

Arm length isn't his only issue. It's not even his biggest issue. He was less productive last season compared to 2024. That's a red flag for me.

After watching Seattle's DL dismantle NE, I'm all for drafting an IDL at #18. But, right now I'm leaning towards Kayden McDonald, Ohio State or Lee Hunter, Texas Tech.

I think Woods is the clear best DT in this draft. McDonald is the best run stuffer but he has 0 value as a pass rusher. I don't think we would raft him with Flores as our DC, and I'm good with that. I actually like Banks over McDonald. I like Hunter, but not in the first round.

There are a few guys who might realistically be there at 18 that I would take without looking to trade back: Woods, McCoy, and Delane. There are several others who I would be ok with at 18, but I would entertain a trade offer. I know we have a big need at Safety, but other than Downs, I would not take one at 18 without trying to trade back. This draft is so deep at Safety. I could see CB at 18, especially if it is McCoy or Delane. CB is pretty deep but not like Safety, and the better CBs will go fast.

MaroonBells wrote:
It's early, but with the exception of Styles, Downs and Love, this is the guy I want to see available at 18. Peter Woods, 6-3, 310, Clemson. Ideal size for a 3-down DT, plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. Versatile, played nose, 3-tech and even edge for the Tigers. Can beat a double team and his effort on every snap is 110%. Rumors of a 700 lb squat and a 4.86 forty. His issue is going to be arm length. 

quick impression,  needs to learn to finish plays,  he creates pressure,  he moves well and gets off blocks,  but he doesnt seem to finish the ball carrier himself when he gets the chance, very often, but impressive none the less.

JimmyinSD wrote:

quick impression,  needs to learn to finish plays,  he creates pressure,  he moves well and gets off blocks,  but he doesnt seem to finish the ball carrier himself when he gets the chance, very often, but impressive none the less.

Yep, I saw that too. He needs to finish better. But I do know this about Flores, he values pressures more than sacks.

On Woods, I was listening to some draft analysis about a month ago (somewhere), and they were talking about Woods lack of numbers and it was brought up that Clemson had such a difficult time getting a pass rush last year that they shifted Woods to more of an end/edge position in hopes of getting any kind of pass rush and it hurt his numbers taking one for the team. I haven't watched enough of Woods to confirm this...just passing it along

MaroonBells wrote:

Yep, I saw that too. He needs to finish better. But I do know this about Flores, he values pressures more than sacks.

I was noting on the RB as well,  he changes the run,  but often misses the tackle which allows the RB to get back to the LOS or more.

If Brian Flores wants a nose, this year might be the year to draft one. Here is a top 10 list of DTs. Plenty of NT body types on this list. 

Peter Woods, DT
6'3" 315 lbs
Clemson

Kayden McDonald, DT
6'3" 326 lbs
Ohio State

Caleb Banks, DT
6'6" 330 lbs
Florida

Lee Hunter, DT
6'4" 325 lbs
Texas Tech

Christen Miller, DT
6'4" 305 lbs
Georgia

Gracen Halton, DT
6'2" 292 lbs
Oklahoma

Darrell Jackson Jr., DT
6'5" 337 lbs
Florida State

Cameron Ball, DT
6'5" 326 lbs
Akransas

Tim Keenan III, DT
6'2" 320 lbs
Alabama

Dontae Corleone (yes, Don Corleone), DT
6’1” 335 lbs
Cincinatti

MaroonBells wrote:
If Brian Flores wants a nose, this year might be the year to draft one. Here is a top 10 list of DTs. Plenty of NT body types on this list. 

Peter Woods, DT
6'3" 315 lbs
Clemson

Kayden McDonald, DT
6'3" 326 lbs
Ohio State

Caleb Banks, DT
6'6" 330 lbs
Florida

Lee Hunter, DT
6'4" 325 lbs
Texas Tech

Christen Miller, DT
6'4" 305 lbs
Georgia

Gracen Halton, DT
6'2" 292 lbs
Oklahoma

Darrell Jackson Jr., DT
6'5" 337 lbs
Florida State

Cameron Ball, DT
6'5" 326 lbs
Akransas

Tim Keenan III, DT
6'2" 320 lbs
Alabama

Dontae Corleone (yes, Don Corleone), DT
6’1” 335 lbs
Cincinatti

You left off the 
Big Citrus - Domonique Orange 6'3" 325 Iowa State and 
Chris McClellan 6'3" 315 Missouri
We should definitely take one of these guys.

Potential first round defensive tackles career alignment and efficiency pic.twitter.com/6Q0BdOTkzz

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) February 20, 2026

purplefaithful wrote:
https://x.com/fball_insights/status/2024683029218689159?s=20

Banks is interesting. Big, nose tackle body, but better rushing the passer than stopping the run. He might be THE boom or bust player in the 1st round.

MaroonBells wrote:

Banks is interesting. Big, nose tackle body, but better rushing the passer than stopping the run. He might be THE boom or bust player in the 1st round.

He missed most of 25 with a broken foot? Boy, that was a poster child for a KAM draftee. 

6'6 330 - you'd think he would be grading better vs run?? Maybe his height works against him some

purplefaithful wrote:

He missed most of 25 with a broken foot? Boy, that was a poster child for a KAM draftee. 

6'6 330 - you'd think he would be grading better vs run?? Maybe his height works against him some

higher center of gravity makes it harder to anchor.  in the trenches its often a game of low pads wins,  strength and mass come into play as well,  but pad level is a big one.

JimmyinSD wrote:

higher center of gravity makes it harder to anchor.  in the trenches its often a game of low pads wins,  strength and mass come into play as well,  but pad level is a big one.

That may be precisely the problem with Banks.

Peter Woods
6024
298
9 1/8 hand
31 1/4 arm
76 3/8 wing

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 26, 2026

Rueben Bain
6022
263
30 7/8 arm
77 1/2 wing

Melvin Ingram
6014
264
31 1/2 arm
77 1/2 wing

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 26, 2026

Peter Woods linemate. 

DeMonte Capehart is a DT prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.97 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 8 out of 2046 DT from 1987 to 2026.

Splits projected, all times unofficial, agilities left to run.https://t.co/tPNrkQLvFs pic.twitter.com/cUMUn6Nrvh

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 26, 2026

For what it's worth, on one of this week's podcasts, Doogie fully believes the Vikings will cut both of last years free agent additions in Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Most of us expected Hargrave to be gone but thought Allen might stick because of the contract, but not so according to Doogie. If we end up cutting both...I think defensive tackle becomes a huge draft priority for us.

StickierBuns wrote:

I'm not a Doogie fan, but I agree. Jonathan Allen was a disgraceful, overpaid bullshit player. KAM should have been fired for that signing alone. Out with the old.

Agreed. This team has so many damn needs from years of draft misses under Kwesi that they have to absolutely look to move assets like Greenard for draft capital. Every level of the defense needs help along with just about every level of the offense. The only place we are solid at is special teams lol

StickierBuns wrote:

The warning signs from Washington were there on Allen: doesn't try hard enough. Coasts. Nobody was going to give him a contract anywhere near what KAM did. Its gross.

Allen still provided some pass rush last season. It wouldn't bother me at all to draft an IDL to play the run like Kayden McDonald or Caleb Banks & sub in Allen on passing downs.