The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed their first-round draft pick center Graham Barton. Barton is the last of the Bucs 2024 draft class to sign.
“The Buccaneers have agreed to terms with C Graham Barton on his rookie deal: four years, around $14 million fully guaranteed. The 26th overall pick told reporters earlier he expected the contract to be done today. Now officially agreed to and signed.”
Draft Profile: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
HT: 6’5
WT: 313 lbs
Accolades:
Second-team All-American (2023)
2× first-team All-ACC (2022, 2023)
Pros:
Embodies explosive power from the snap, leveraging bursts into formidable blocking force.
Excels in space blocking, showcasing range, tenacity, and a relentless drive to finish.
Brings a robust and proportional frame, efficiently distributing mass to optimize blocking leverage.
Flexibility and adaptability allow him to sustain leverage and adjust mid-rep, crucial for maintaining control.
Deploys a wide base and controlled hand placement to envelop and anchor against rushers effectively.
His football IQ and versatility shine, processing in-game dynamics seamlessly across multiple line positions.
His background at center and athleticism make him a fit for zone schemes, offering rare mobility for his size.
Exhibits the ‘scrapper’ mentality, tenaciously fighting for real estate and maintaining block control.
Cons:
Arm length near the average could prompt a shift from tackle to an interior position at the professional level.
At times, exposes his frame to power moves due to hand placement and stance nuances.
Vulnerable to sophisticated rush techniques, occasionally misjudging strike timing and positioning.
While his tenacity is a strength, it can lead to technique oversights, particularly in pass protection scenarios.
Needs to fine-tune his blocking consistency, ensuring optimal use of his physical attributes against NFL-caliber opponents.
Summary:
His ability to play across the line is an asset, offering teams flexibility in offensive line configuration. The critical factor for Barton will be his capacity to assimilate NFL-level coaching, particularly in honing his technique to mitigate the challenges posed by his arm length and in optimizing his athletic capabilities. If he can evolve these aspects of his game, Barton’s potential as an impactful, versatile NFL lineman is significant. His evolution from a three-star recruit to a notable NFL prospect is indicative of his growth trajectory and potential, hinting that, with the appropriate developmental support, he could solidify his place as a dependable, versatile lineman in the NFL.
Real Bucs Talk: Duke OL Graham Barton Film Study
The Real Bucs Talk Podcast the guys break down the game film of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round draft pick Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in desperate need of some offensive line talent. The Real Bucs Talk guys have you covered.
JT Olson’s Post-Draft Grade
Graham Barton – B+
Basically everyone agrees that Barton was an excellent interior offensive line prospect. He explosions forwards as a run blocker and is incredibly athletic for the position. The consensus among draft experts is that this is a future pro bowl center.
However, I was lower on him going into the draft. I preferred both Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier at the same position. There are concerns with Barton’s hand usage and the way he works in space based on his college tape last year.
I believe both the experts’ opinions and mine can be correct here. Keep in mind that Barton played tackle in college, so moving inside can mitigate some of the issues I have with his game. At the same time, the Bucs are getting a little bit of a work in progress here.
I don’t deny that Barton has pro bowl potential and even an all pro upside. I just need to see some development here before I can say that this was a home run pick.
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