The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, one of the most versatile players in this year’s draft class, with pick No. 26 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barton, a former standout lacrosse player, has starting experience at both left tackle and center. He also could also kick inside to guard, if need be.
A true five-position prospect, Barton only spent one year as a starting center at Duke — the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — but wound up a freshman All-American. He’s a fierce run blocker with great, powerful hands, and he plays with an aggressiveness that doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. Barton shifted to left tackle as a sophomore, then spent three years playing there for the Blue Devils. He missed three games last season with injuries.
Barton’s length (32 7/8-inch arms) is less than ideal, but it’s also not as big a deal if he plays inside at center or guard. Either way, he’s a super-agile prospect who just gets the job done.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Barton ranked No. 18 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Barton will have adjustments to make as he moves inside, but he has athletic feet and strong hands and works hard to stay attached to blocks through the whistle. He projects as an above-average NFL starter at guard or center (reminiscent of Alijah Vera-Tucker).”
Coaching intel
What two anonymous coaches had to say about Barton in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“He’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s even close to the kid at Notre Dame (Joe Alt). I get it that they’re (going to play) different positions, and (Barton’s) gonna be a guard, which is probably a better spot for him than tackle.”
“He’s good. Are they talking about him as an early draft pick? I don’t see him in that elite ‘Holy s—, how are we gonna deal with him?’ category. But he’s talented. Whether he wrestled or not, he played like a wrestler.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
Versatility is important in the NFL, as are centers who can run block. Barton checks off both boxes and has room to keep getting better.
Come back shortly for more analysis of the Barton pick.
(Photo: David Jensen / Getty Images)
