Who Is No. 1 on Todd McShay's 1st Midseason Big Board for NFL Draft 2026?

NFL draft guru Todd McShay unveiled his newest big board for the 2026 draft, with Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. sitting at the top.

Defense dominated the upper portion of McShay's rankings. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was No. 2 overall, and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was the only offensive player in the first five.

Todd McShay Midseason 2026 Big Board — Top 10

1. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

3. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

4. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

5. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

6. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

7. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

8. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

9. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

10. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

McShay listed off his top 16 players starting at the nine-minute mark in the newest episode of The McShay Show. His full big board is available in his newsletter.

On the whole, the quarterback landscape projects to be better next spring than it was in the 2025 NFL draft. Simpson, Oregon's Dante Moore, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza cracked the top 16. Last year, by contrast, Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart were the only QBs picked in the first round.

But there may not be the one signal-caller who's generally considered a can't-miss prospect and the clear No. 1 choice.

Much in the same way Joe Burrow's stock surged during his final year at LSU, Simpson could put himself into that position by season's end. The Crimson Tide star has thrown for 1,931 yards and 18 touchdowns to just one interception. He's making a strong case on the field.

Tennessee Volunteers - Alabama Crimson Tide Highlights

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Teams high up in the first round that don't have a pressing need for a quarterback could be sitting pretty. They could trade back with a team that covets Simpson, Moore, Sellers, Mendoza or another QB. They could also just keep the pick and get an impact player for their defense.

Bain has 21.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 28 games for the Hurricanes. Downs is a versatile safety who one general manager compared favorably to Earl Thomas and Eric Berry, both three-time All-Pros in the NFL. Keldric Faulk is coming off a seven-sack season with Auburn.

Eight quarterbacks went No. 1 overall in the last 10 NFL drafts. Myles Garrett (2017) and Travon Walker (2022) were the exceptions. The 2026 edition could be another draft that opens with a defensive player walking onto the stage.