Who is Peter Woods and why is he linked to the Panthers?

Peter Woods is an interior defensive lineman from Clemson University, identified in a Pro Football Focus mock draft as a potential 19th overall pick for the Carolina Panthers to bolster their defense.

What are the Carolina Panthers' defensive weaknesses?

The Panthers' defense ranked in the bottom 10 for run defense and pass rush grades in 2025, and they have struggled with a consistent pass rush for three seasons, recording a league-low 89 sacks since 2023.

What was the Panthers' run defense performance in 2025?

In 2025, the Panthers' run defense improved, allowing an average of 123.3 rushing yards per game, a significant decrease from the 179.8 yards per game allowed in 2024.

Home / Sports / Panthers' Draft Dilemma: Woods or Edge Rusher?

Panthers' Draft Dilemma: Woods or Edge Rusher?

10 Feb

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Summary

Clemson's Peter Woods is a top mock draft target for Panthers at 19.
Panthers defense ranked bottom 10 in run defense and pass rush grades.
Carolina has struggled with pass rush, totaling a league-low 89 sacks since 2023.

Panthers' Draft Dilemma: Woods or Edge Rusher?

In the lead-up to the NFL Draft on April 23, the Carolina Panthers are reportedly eyeing Clemson interior defensive lineman Peter Woods for their 19th overall selection, according to a recent Pro Football Focus mock draft. Woods is seen as a potential solution for a Panthers defense that struggled significantly in 2025, ranking among the bottom 10 units in both run defense and pass rush grades.

The Panthers' defense showed some improvement in stopping the run in 2025, allowing 123.3 rushing yards per game compared to 179.8 in 2024. However, the team's pass rush has been a persistent issue for three consecutive seasons, accumulating a league-low 89 sacks since 2023. In 2023, they recorded a mere 27 sacks, followed by 32 in 2024 and 30 in 2025.

This lack of pass rush puts the Panthers in a difficult position, especially considering rival Atlanta's success after drafting edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round of the 2025 draft, which saw their sack total jump from 31 to a franchise-record 57. While Carolina has added defensive linemen like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, and drafted Cam Jackson, the need for a dominant young edge rusher is palpable, potentially outweighing the appeal of an interior presence like Woods.