Chiefs drafted Peter Woods with last year’s Super Bowl teams in mind
Kansas City wants to get in on a successful recent defensive line trend.
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 04: Peter Woods #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after play as Riley Leonard #13 of the Duke Blue Devils walks by during a football game at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina on Sep 4, 2023. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images When Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to the media ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft , he implied that defensive tackle was seen internally as a bigger need than draft analysts may have. Veach stayed true to his word as the Chiefs selected Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with pick 29.
When head coach Andy Reid spoke on Thursday, he praised Woods’ versatility both as a pass rusher and as a run stopper. “This is a kid we had our eye on right from the beginning,” Reid remarked. “He’s a defensive tackle.
He has great athletic ability. I think when you watch his highlights, you’ll see just a tremendous athlete, whether it’s in the pass game or the run game. He’s got great feet [and] great hands with his escape ability with his hands on sheds.
He’s also a great kid. ” After the first round, Veach looked to the two teams that met in Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots both deploy deep defensive line rotations to keep their players fresh late in games against tired offensive lines.