The Trent McDuffie trade’s top asset will go toward Kansas City’s defensive line. While the Chiefs had been connected to defensive ends leading up to the draft, Chris Jones instead will see a running mate headed to Missouri.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods is heading to the Chiefs at No. 29. Viewed as a higher-end prospect entering last season, Woods comes to Kansas City after three years at the ACC school. Daniel Jeremiah’s big board placed Woods 39th, but the Chiefs — as they did with Mansoor Delane at No. 6 overall — disagreed with lower grades and acted early.
Kansas City used a second-round pick on a D-tackle last year (Omarr Norman-Lott) but watched him suffer an ACL tear early in the season. Woods will join nose tackle Khyiris Tonga — signed to a three-year, $21MM deal — as key DT pieces added this offseason. Jones and Tonga figure to start the season at DT in Steve Spagnuolo‘s 4-3 scheme, but Woods will be slated to play a key rotational role as the Chiefs try and rebound from a 6-11 season.
Not a statistical standout at Clemson, Woods combined for five sacks over his final two college seasons. But the 298-pound defender still received first-team All-ACC recognition and second-team All-American acclaim in 2025. This came even after Woods’ TFL count dropped from 8.5 in 2024 to 3.5 last season. A quick rusher who lacks optimal length, the 6-foot-2 DT will see his rookie contract align with Jones’ market-topping deal.
The Chiefs have Jones heading into the third season of a five-year, $158.75MM contract. The future Hall of Famer is due $35MM in guaranteed compensation this year but has no guarantees remaining on the player-friendly pact beyond 2026. Kansas City has still seen Jones play at an elite level, and the Super Bowl linchpin remains one of the game’s best D-linemen. He is entering an age-32 season, and Woods — who turned 21 in March — profiles as an apprentice and possible successor in the not-too-distant future.
If the Chiefs are keen on bringing in a D-end to complement George Karlaftis, they hold No. 40 on Friday. Kansas City sent its third-round pick to Cleveland to move up for Delane earlier Thursday.