Bucs Draft OL Graham Barton In Spherical 1

The Bucs took an enormous step towards solidifying the inside of their offensive line for the long run on Thursday evening, deciding on Duke’s Graham Barton with the No. 26 decide within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft.

All through the pre-draft course of, Barton continued to see his inventory rise. What’s particularly spectacular about that’s his inventory has escalated an increasing number of even if he needed to again out of the Senior Bowl on account of harm and was unable to take part on the NFL Scouting Mix.

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photograph by: USA Immediately

The truth that his popularity grew with out participation in these essential pre-draft occasions speaks to the excellence of what Barton placed on tape at Duke. It additionally doesn’t harm that he had a robust displaying on the Blue Devils’ Professional Day, the place he ran a 4.97-second 40-yard sprint (which might’ve ranked prime 5 amongst offensive linemen on the Mix) and a 7.31-second three-cone drill (which might’ve tied him for third on the Mix).

Barton’s athleticism is obvious, and it’s backed up by his good 10.00 RAS Rating — the very best rating out of 619 facilities from 1987 by way of 2024.

Bucs Have Choices With Graham Barton

Graham Barton, a 6-foot-5, 313-pounder, is extraordinarily versatile. He performed nearly all of his collegiate video games at left sort out, although again in 2020, he additionally made 5 begins at heart. Some had been projecting him as a guard in the course of the pre-draft course of, so the truth that he can play all 5 positions on the offensive line may have been an enormous a part of what drew Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht towards him, as Licht loves his linemen to have some versatility to their recreation.

With that mentioned, when Tampa Bay introduced its decide, Barton was listed as a middle. And in his press convention late Thursday evening, Licht mentioned they see him as a middle, although he can play guard and in addition did a fantastic job at sort out in school. So for now, it seems as if the plan is to kick Barton inside to take over for Robert Hainsey.

The Blue Devils star is succesful in each go safety and within the run recreation, and has drawn some comparisons to former Bucs Professional Bowl guard Ali Marpet for his athleticism, toughness, soccer I.Q. and physicality. There’s little question that Tampa Bay would like to have one other Marpet, who shortly established himself as probably the greatest offensive linemen in franchise historical past earlier than retiring early.

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photograph courtesy of Duke

Whereas he seems to be the Bucs’ substitute for Hainsey (and Ryan Jensen earlier than him), Barton’s versatility provides Tampa Bay some choices in relation to the composition of their offensive line. Nothing needs to be set in stone, as Tampa Bay may choose to draft a middle on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.

Right here’s an concept of how issues stand as of now:

Choice 1: Barton at heart

LT: Tristan WirfsLG: Sua Opeta/Ben Bredeson/potential draft pickC: Graham BartonRG: Cody MauchRT: Luke Goedeke

Choice 2: Barton at left guard

LT: Tristan WirfsLG: Graham BartonC: Robert Hainsey/Ben Bredeson/potential draft pickRG: Cody MauchRT: Luke Goedeke

Graham Barton at all times felt like a match for the Bucs, which is why he was one among Pewter Report’s Bucs Greatest Bets heading into the draft. Barton was additionally the group’s first-round draft decide in Pewter Report’s mock draft 2.0 and three.0. Tampa Bay held a proper assembly with the previous Duke standout on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis, and now he’s the latest Buc.

Barton wore No. 62 in school and with the retirement of Ryan Jensen this offseason, that quantity seems to be accessible if the rookie needs it. Given how Licht and his employees view Barton and the way a lot he fills a giant want for the offensive line, the board falling the best way it did was an enormous win for these in Tampa Bay’s draft room.