The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received accolades for their outstanding offseason; they could cap it off with a strong performance in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The morning of April 25, Good Morning Football presenter Peter Schrager announced his last mock draft, highlighting the Buccaneers’ recent success and adding a dynamic offensive lineman to the mix with their first-round pick.
According to Schrager, the Buccaneers will select Duke offensive tackle Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick.
“Tampa might’ve had the best offseason of any team in the league to this point, retaining many key assets from last year’s Divisional Round squad,” he wrote. “Offensive line is still an area of need. Barton played both tackle and center at Duke, and he could play either position in the NFL.
Barton, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 313 pounds, was a two-time All-American and two-time All-ACC pick during his final two seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Graham Barton Could Play Multiple Positions
NFL.com rated Barton a 6.46 prospect rating, indicating that he will be a competent starter within two years, and NFL analyst Lance Zierlein praised him in his pre-draft report.
“Reviewing Barton’s tape is a pleasurable experience in offensive line evaluation, as his tenacity and know-how are on full display throughout,” Zierlein noted in an email.Though he excelled at left tackle, he will most likely play center in the NFL. Barton is an explosive drive blocker who uses body control and leg drive to keep opponents focused and finish the job. His hands are quick, accurate, and strong in both phases, but a lack of length will provide some issues at the next level.
“His mobility gives him an advantage as a second-level climber, and he excels in the screen game. Barton’s technique, tenacity, and athleticism are exactly what organizations are looking for in an early starter with Pro Bowl prospects.”
Barton started 39 consecutive games at left tackle for Duke, out of a total of 40 games, but missed the final four games of his college career due to a lower-body injury.
Could Barton Replace Retired Center Ryan Jensen?
The Buccaneers have had a significant hole on the offensive line during the last two seasons without center Ryan Jensen, who missed the entire 2022 regular season with a knee injury but returned for a playoff game before retiring in February 2024.
Jensen was as good as any center in the NFL during his last two full seasons with the Buccaneers, helping lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory in 2020 and earning his only Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
“Barton’s five-position versatility is one of the top differentiators on his profile,” stated Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network. “He has played both tackle and center, and his agility, power, flexibility, footwork feel, anchor strength, football IQ, and physicality enable him to switch between positions with ease.
“Of course, everyone is wondering where Barton’s best translations are. His arm length is average at best, and it’s sometimes a consideration when tackles go to guard in the NFL.”
Leave a Reply