The “Hear Me Out” Part of the 2026 NFL Draft Big Board

These 10 players sit just outside my top 30 draft prospects, and a few of these rankings are probably going to need an explanation.

The top 30 is usually where people stop nodding along and start picking apart every spot. I feel like this is what the board is for.

These next 10 layers all have a case, but a few of them are definitely the kind of rankings that could make people stop and ask what I’m seeing. And, that’s fine.

This is where I want to start separating draft prospects from the guys I simply like and the guys I’m willing to bet on.

So, this is the “hear me out” section of my 2026 NFL Draft Big Board.

31. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Max Iheanachor is one of the easier draft prospect bets in this range because the tools are obvious.

I feel he is still a little too raw, but this is the part of the draft board where I’m willing to trust tackle upside. The best part of his game is pass pro, and it gives teams something to work with.

He posted a 78.3 pass-blocking grade in 2025 and didn’t allow a sack, which is enough to keep me interested in the long-term picture of things.

Player comp: Tyler Smith at tackle

Max Iheanachor is a massive right tackle prospect, standing 6’6” and 321 pounds, with quick feet and developmental upside because he became a football player later than most. The Tyler Smith “raw but dangerous” tackle energy is all over the profile.

32. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Denzel Boston feels like a boundary receiver to me. In 2025, he had 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, and standing at 6’4” and 212 pounds, he has the size and production teams covet.

I think Boston is more than just a big receiver because he plays through contact and wins at the catch point.

Player comp: Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins is a good comparison for Denzel Boston. Both receivers can wall off defenders, win above the rim, and make quarterbacks comfortable throwing them the ball even when they’re not wide open.

33. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

This is one of my biggest trust-the-player rankings on this part of the draft board.

Peter Woods didn’t put up monster numbers in 2025, but the talent flashes enough for me to say he will be a pro bowl type player. In 2025, he finished with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and two sacks.

Player comp: Christian Wilkins

Peter Woods is a thick, square tackle with great quickness and violent hands, plus he has the leverage and lower-body strength to hold up against the run. That sounds a lot like Christian Wilkins to me, a disruptive interior defender who can do more than eat space.

34. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Caleb Banks is another defensive tackle draft prospect who I’m betting on traits, movement, and upside. He didn’t blow away the stat line as he finished 2025 with 21 tackles and 7 tackles for a loss.

I just think this player has more to offer at the next level.

Player comp: DeForest Buckner

This is more about body type and play style than a direct one-to-one. Banks and Buckner are both tall with long arms and almost identical results at the NFL Combine. Banks just has more heft to him as he is 327 pounds compared to Buckner’s 295.

35. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Colton Hood is a great draft prospect in this range. He had 34 solo tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and eight passes defended.

Hood is physical, competitive, and comfortable in coverage, which is usually enough for me to buy in on a corner in the 30s.

Player comp: Deandre Baker with more speed

Colton Hood wins with physical coverage and confidence more than pure finesse, much like Deandre Baker, but much better. Hood just brings more speed to the field with 4.44 speed and explosiveness at the catch point.

36. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

KC Concepcion is one of the more useful offensive players in this tier because he can hurt you in a few different ways.

He caught 61 passes on 101 targets for 919 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025, and he also brought some value in the return game.

Player comp: Julian Edelman with a better vertical game

Much like Julian Edelman, Concepcion can win underneath, uncover quickly, and be a quarterback-friendly target. KC Concepcion has more explosiveness and the ability to create separation downfield.

37. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Emmanuel Pregnon may be one of the safest picks in this draft.

Pregnon in 2025 had a PFF overall grade of 88.4, a pass-blocking grade of 88 and a run-blocking grade of 88.3. I hope everyone sees this is a good football player and would be a steal in this range of the draft.

Player comp: Trey Smith

Emmanuel Pregnon, like Trey Smith, is not just big and mean. He also flashes enough movement skill to work outside the phone booth, and his combine showed more athleticism than people expected. Both players had similar strengths and weaknesses pre-draft.

38. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Christen Miller is one of those interior defenders who I think makes more sense the deeper you get into the draft board.

He had 7.5 tackles for a loss in 2025, and while the production doesn’t scream future star, the power and SEC-tested profile still matter. The floor of Miller feels useful, and the flashes still make you think there’s more there.

Player comp: Javon Kinlaw with more polish

At 6’4” and 321 pounds, while running a 4.90 forty is absurd. Miller has the size and explosiveness to give those Javon Kinlaw vibes coming out of college. The difference I can see is Miller is more refined as a multifaceted defensive tackle, not just raw traits.

39. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Caleb Lomu is my perfect example of why this part of the board gets interesting. The overall 2025 grade was not elite, but the pass pro was strong at an 82.1 grade. He did not allow a sack, but gave up eight pressures.

I think that may be more than enough to stay invested in the potential upside.

Player comp: Bernhard Raimann

This is my favorite style comp because Lomu is not a pure mauler. He profiles as a guy who stays square, reworks his hands, and moves well in space rather than overwhelming people in space. This matches the smooth athletic profile of Bernhard Raimann.

40. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

I’m closing this tier with Lee Hunter because I trust sturdy interior defenders who know how to make life miserable in the run game.

In 2025, Hunter had 16 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Those stats are useful for a defensive tackle. Not every interior defender has to be a star.

Player comp: A’Shawn Robinson

Lee Hunter looks like a big-bodied interior defender who eats space, stacks blocks, and frees up linebackers. Having the length and power to walk offensive lineman back is also a plus. Does this sound familiar, because that is Robinson’s game too.

A few of these guys are cleaner beets than others and a few are rankings I know people are going to push back on, but that is also what I think makes this part of the board worth doing.