Mandatory minicamp practices around the NFL concluded this past Thursday, concluding another phase of the league’s offseason training, where rookies get their first taste of pro-level action.
Florida’s seven 2026 NFL Draft picks and three undrafted free agents to sign with NFL teams took part in minicamp practices. The Gators’ only first-round pick, Caleb Banks, was unable to practice with his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, due to an injury.
This year, Florida continued its streak of having a pick in every NFL draft since 1967. Florida is one of three schools, along with USC and Michigan, and the only SEC program, to achieve that mark.
Following mandatory minicamp practices, each player will return to the field when the NFL kicks off training camp across the league in late July.
Banks did not participate in Minnesota’s minicamps or OTAs this offseason as he continues to nurse a March 2026 surgery on his foot, after aggravating the injury that troubled his 2025 season with the Gators while training for the NFL combine.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said earlier this month that Banks should be ready for Minnesota’s training camp in July.
“We’ve received really positive reviews,” O’Connell said. “Had the offseason [minicamp] continued, he probably would have started to get some work in some of the individual drills, and then progress him into some of the team stuff. But I will say this, the feedback I’m getting from the coaches… There’s a lot of different ways we can be activating Caleb’s brain and the above-the-neck challenge of learning Flo’s intricate system. I’m excited about where he’s at.”
Minnesota picked Banks No. 18 overall in the first round of April’s draft.
Former starting center for the Gators, Jake Slaughter, is working at left guard to begin his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, as the team signed center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year contract this offseason.
Slaughter reportedly worked mainly with the Chargers’ second-team offensive line in early offseason practices, behind Penning at left guard.
“We project that, at worst, if he’s not starting at guard, then he’ll be the next man in at all three positions (left) guard, center, (right) guard. That’s incredible value,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Slaughter after the NFL Draft. “I predict a couple years from now that’s going to be a highly valuable player.”
Los Angeles selected Slaughter No. 63 overall in the second round of the NFL Draft.
After mostly majority at left tackle throughout his Florida career, Austin Barber made the move to right tackle during Cleveland’s rookie minicamp, with Browns head coach Todd Monken imagining Barber as the team’s swing tackle.
Cleveland took the projected starting left tackle Spencer Fano in the first round of the draft, just two rounds ahead of Barber. The Browns also made a move for Tytus Howard and signed him to a three-year contract extension this offseason.
Cleveland traded up to pick Barber No. 86 overall in the third round of the NFL draft.
Devin Moore arrived in Dallas as part of an overhauled secondary that welcomed free-agent cornerback Cobie Durant and first-round safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also reinforced the unit by extending standout cornerback DaRon Bland on a four-year deal in August.
Moore will begin his Cowboys career as a member of the team’s second unit. Moore and 2025 third-round draft pick Shavon Revel Jr. could compete for Durant’s anticipated starting role, but it appears unlikely, making them both backups and rotational players in 2026.
The Indianapolis Colts plan to allow George Gumbs Jr to develop as an edge rusher early in his NFL career. That will most likely result in him primarily playing on special teams during his rookie season.
Gumbs only played on the edge for three seasons in college and was the Colts’ fifth-round draft pick.
The Green Bay Packers released former starting kicker Brandon McManus after drafting Trey Smack in the sixth round of the NFL draft, ensuring he starts for Green Bay as a rookie.
Smack has experienced highs and lows during Green Bay’s offseason workouts, going 5-for-9 on field goals in OTAs before bouncing back with a 7-for-8 performance during minicamp, highlighted by a 58-yard make. Training camp will be a key opportunity for him to prove he can perform consistently.
Tommy Doman is currently in a position battle in Buffalo with Mitch Wishnowsky, who re-signed with the Bills on a one-year contract this offseason. This battle could last until the preseason in August.
Undrafted free agents
Rocco Underwood signed with Philadelphia after the NFL draft and is currently the only long snapper on the Eagles’ roster — a promising sign for his future with the team. Special teams coordinator Michael Clay spoke in May that Underwood has “gelled really well” with the Eagles’ special teams veterans this offseason.
Tyreak Sapp has not generated any headlines in his first offseason with the Cleveland Browns, which is not out of the realm of possibility for an undrafted free agent. Sapp does have promising odds of making the Browns’ roster, as he has a strong training camp and preseason, even though the Browns traded for Pro Bowl edge Jared Verse in the Myles Garrett swap.
J. Michael Sturdivant signed an undrafted free agent contract with Green Bay, including $215,000 in total guarantees, a positive sign that they believe he has a chance to make the team’s 53-man roster.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Updates on Florida football’s 2026 draft picks following minicamp
Reporting by Michael Trim Jr, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michael Trim Jr, Gators Wire | USA TODAY Network
