With the 2026 NFL Draft less than a month away, ESPN analyst Matt Miller on Monday unveiled his latest mock draft, this time projecting every pick throughout the seven-round event.
Seven Florida Gators prospects were included throughout the projection, with defensive tackle Caleb Banks headlining the class as a first-round pick, even after he suffered a broken foot that required surgery during February's NFL Combine.
Miller, offering the following analysis, slotted Banks to the New England Patriots with the No. 31 overall selection.
Christian Barmore and Milton Williams provide considerable pass rush from the interior, but the Patriots need a nose tackle after losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency. Banks missed much of last season because of a left foot injury but impressed during the Senior Bowl and combine, showing rare movement ability at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds with a 5.04 40. Banks' power and push in the middle could open things further for Barmore and Williams to rush the passer.
Despite his recent injury, his third to his foot over the last year, Banks made the most of the athletic testing drills he conducted in Indianapolis, solidifying his standing as a potential first-round prospect.
In addition to his 5.04-second 40-yard dash — a 60th percentile result for defensive tackles at the Combine since 1999 — Banks also logged a 32-inch vertical jump (79th percentile) and a 114-inch broad jump (92nd percentile), while standing at 6-foot-6 1/4 (98th percentile), 327 pounds (89th percentile) with an 85 3/4-inch wingspan (98th percentile).
In his college career, between three seasons at Florida and two at Louisville, Banks posted 48 tackles with 10.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one defended pass, one fumble recovery, and per Pro Football Focus, 59 quarterback pressures and 21 defensive stops (tackles that constitute a failed play for the offense).
While Miller did not include another Florida prospect until the third day of the draft, his exercise saw six Gators go within 67 picks of each other between the fourth and sixth rounds.
In the fourth round, Miller sent UF cornerback Devin Moore to the Buffalo Bills at No. 126 overall, offensive tackle Austin Barber to the Miami Dolphins at No. 130 overall, and center Jake Slaughter to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 137 overall.
In the fifth round, Miller paired Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 154 overall, and edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. with the Carolina Panthers at No. 159 overall.
And in the sixth round, Miller united Florida edge rusher Tyreak Sapp with the New York Giants at No. 193 overall, rounding out the Gators' projected draft class.
A seven-member draft class would mark Florida's second in a row, and 10th with at least seven players selected since the turn of the century.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.