The Big Board Bubble: 10 Prospects Who Landed Just Outside of My Top 32

Welcome back to The McShay Report! Yesterday I released my first 2026 Big Board, with write-ups on some of the fastest-rising NFL draft prospects since the college season kicked off in August. I want to focus today on a handful of guys who just missed the cut for my top 32—but could still find themselves in the first-round conversation as the pre-draft process kicks into high gear over the next few months. 

If the draft were tomorrow, I think each of the guys below would be more likely  to end up in Round 1 than Round 3. But for the purpose of this newsletter, consider them all top-50 prospects with the talent and opportunity to climb the ranks.