The Detroit Lions RELOAD The Defensive Line With CLEMSON Top Draft Picks!
Brad Holmes Will Look At Clemson To Answer The Bell!
IDL Peter Woods | Grade: 95 | 6’3” 315 LBS
Draft Projection: Top 10 pick
Woods showcases versatility, playing multiple positions along the line of scrimmage, including 3-technique, 1-tech, and SU EDGE. In the 2024 season, he recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks over 11 games. PFF STATS
Woods is remarkably agile for his size, possesses an impressive burst of speed that turns to power. His hands are lightning-quick, enabling him to execute effective moves with remarkable body lean as a rusher. He combines this with swift footwork, making him a relentless competitor on the field.
However, he sometimes struggles with gap discipline, occasionally peeking into the backfield and leaving the front vulnerable.
Preseason Status
Woods is a one-gap penetrating 3-technique on the interior, but his standout trait is his genuine ability to rush from the outside. His versatility will be an asset in a multiple front scheme, positioning him among the top four or five prospects in the 2026 draft class.
FIT
With the likely loss of DJ Reader in 2026, Tyleik Williams wh the Lions drafted in 2025 could move to the nose tackle or BIG DT position, allowing Woods to slot in as a rotational player inside and outside along the defensive line.
Edge T.J. Parker | Grade: 93 Rising | 6’3” 265 LBS
Draft Projection: Top 10 pick
Stat-wise, TJ Parker is the most dominant player on the Clemson defense. In 2024, Parker finished sixth on the team with 57 tackles, contributing 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Parker's ability to make plays even when teams keyed on Parker last season is why he is a top three edge defender and named to the second-team All-ACC in 2024. His power is a standout trait—Parker’s physicality translates seamlessly to the NFL pass rush. He exhibits impressive speed-to-power dynamics, demonstrating dominating flashes against formidable opponents like UGA and FSU.
Parker's striking power is fun to wacth; he appears to have long arms that allow him to engage offensive linemen effectively and keep them off balance. His push-pull technique is particularly effective, leveraging the offensive line's leverage against them.
While he may lack ideal twitch, Parker is a smooth athlete with a strong closing burst. He is gap-responsible, effectively handling assignments, setting a hard edge, and quickly disengaging from blocks.
FIT
The Detroit Lions will be looking to address some holes at the edge and defensive line position entering 2026. Both depth and starting caliber players will most likely be sought in the draft. With refined pass-rushing moves and another offseason in the weight room, he could become a persistent threat for opposing offensive lines. His flashes as a 3-technique on obvious passing downs are intriguing, positioning him as a potential top five or 10 pick in 2026.
CB Avieon Terrell | Grade: 81 | 5’11” 180 LBS
Draft Projection: Day 2
Terrell ranked sixth on the team with 58 tackles in 2024, along with 12 pass break-ups and two interceptions.
He excels in off-coverage, demonstrating a keen ability to read receivers’ routes and make early breaks. His body control is impressive, allowing him to explode out of his pedal and close the gap quickly.
With effortless speed, Terrell can keep pace with wide receivers downfield. However, he is still refining his technique; at times, he can appear flat-footed, especially while waiting for receivers to declare their routes. Additionally, he has struggled against larger receivers during contested catches.
Terrell has shown strong hands when baiting and tracking passes, evidenced by his interception against Stanford. He is a decent tackler for a cornerback, displaying good form and surprising pop for his size, although his smaller frame can sometimes limit his effectiveness. His effort in pursuit is commendable, as seen in his strip from behind during a forced fumble against South Carolina.
DT Stephiylan Green | Grade: 85 Rising | 6’4” 290 LBS
Draft Projection: Day 2
Green participated in 309 snaps last season, recording 16 tackles (2.5 for loss) and one sack.
Primarily playing 3-tech and 5-tech, he also takes on 1-tech duties for Clemson. Green demonstrates good mobility but can become tight and lose power when on the move.
He is strong against double teams when he maintains proper pad level. His keen awareness and quick eyes make him a formidable presence.
However, Green has limited range as a run defender; while he exhibits short-area quickness, he can become sluggish when chasing plays. As a pass rusher, he is most effective on obvious passing downs, where he can leverage speed to power—his style is predominantly power-based and straight-line.
DT DeMonte Capehart | Grade: 85 Rising | 6’5” 315 LBS
Draft Projection: Mid-round pick
Capehart logged only 248 snaps in 2024, totaling 21 tackles (1.5 for loss) and two pass break-ups.
He is best suited as a nose tackle (0-tech in odd fronts or 1-tech in even fronts). Capehart possesses strong hands that allow him to control and disengage from blockers quickly.
He excels against double teams, playing with excellent leverage and demonstrating impressive awareness when locked out. Capehart effectively tracks ball carriers down the line of scrimmage, although he tends to wrap high when tackling.
As a bull rusher, he is capable of collapsing the pocket but lacks the foot quickness and suddenness needed to keep offensive linemen on their toes.
FS Khalil Barnes | Grade: | 6’0” 195 LBS
Draft Projection: Day 3
Barnes was fifth on the team with 61 tackles last season and recorded four interceptions.
He thrives in a big Nickel role, showcasing instinctive play and toughness against the run. He has a good feel for shedding blocks and takes smart angles while maintaining leverage.
Barnes plays with balance, remaining on his feet during run plays. However, he had two significant coverage breakdowns against UGA. His physicality in coverage allows him to hold his ground during contested catches, making him a valuable asset in the secondary.
LB Wade Woodaz | 6’3” 235 LBS
Draft Projection: Day 3
Wade Woodaz emerged as a defensive standout during the 2024 season. Leading his team with an impressive 83 tackles. His ability to quickly move laterally and advance forward in short areas showcases his agility and awareness on the field. However, he does struggle with redirecting in open space and lacks the top-end recovery speed that can be crucial in high-pressure situations.
Woodaz possesses keen instincts, often described as having "fast eyes," which allow him to diagnose plays effectively. He demonstrates an initial burst of power that enables him to disengage from blockers and continue his pursuit of the ball carrier. While he excels as a wrap-up tackler, he occasionally lacks the knock-back strength, sometimes resorting to holding on for dear life. Nevertheless, his tenacity in facing ball carriers is commendable, as he effectively secures them until help arrives to complete the tackle.
His patience in navigating through blocks is noteworthy, and he exhibits a keen sense of ball location, which aids in his tackling efficiency. However, it’s important to recognize that Woodaz lacks elite coverage skills and will need to be shielded from certain matchups, particularly those that exploit his limitations in open space.
FIT
As a converted saftey Woodaz is dreamy option to replace Alex Anzalone The honorable mention in the top-10 PFF linebacker rankings has incredible versatility in coverage. He forced five incompletions last season and has picked off three passes since 2023. The rising senior is also a weapon as a blitzer, tallying 22 pressures last year — a top-20 mark in the Power Four.
EDGE Will Heldt | 6’6’ 265 LBS
Draft Projection: 4th Or 5th Round (Potential To Rise)
Will Heldt had a productive season at Purdue, logging 726 snaps and finishing fourth on the team with 56 tackles. His performance included 10 tackles for loss and five sacks, showcasing his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. Standing tall at 6-foot-6, Heldt utilizes his impressive length effectively to keep blockers at bay, which is a significant asset for any EDGE rusher.
At the point of attack, he displays some initial pop, allowing him to engage blockers effectively. His straight-line speed is commendable, particularly when he’s pursuing plays or pressuring quarterbacks. As a pass rusher, he demonstrates the ability to cross offensive tackles' faces and close in on the quarterback with determination.
However, Heldt's game does have its drawbacks. He is notably slow to redirect, which can make him a liability in space as both a tackler and run defender. Surprisingly, he shows promise as a spot-dropper on zone blitzes, a rare skill for a player of his size, but this aspect of his game needs further development.
In the run game, Heldt must improve his instincts and discipline; he often gets drawn inside too easily, which compromises his positioning. Additionally, he tends to play too high, making him vulnerable to being washed out of plays, especially when he takes false steps. While he may not be a finished product just yet, there is significant potential within him. The question remains: Can Clemson unlock his full capabilities?
Join The Detroit Football Journal Daily Podcasts Below
STAY IN THE GAME WITH DETROIT FOOTBALL JOURNAL
Great article! Go Lion's!