The Blue Devil offensive linemen will get the opportunity to play on opening day.
The Duke football program is back in the NFL Draft.
Graham Barton, a Blue Devil offensive lineman, was the No. 26 overall choice by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. He will be responsible for protecting Baker Mayfield next season.
Barton will have the opportunity to start on opening day for the Buccaneers, who have been hunting for a starting center since the retirement of Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen.
Barton is the first Duke player drafted since 2021, and the first Blue Devil selected in the first round since Daniel Jones was the No. 6 overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019.
The moment ð @grahambarton53 x @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/Fh0NzYiL6e
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
It is unclear whether or not Barton will play center in the NFL. He is versatile, starting at center during his rookie year with the Blue Devils before transitioning to left tackle later in his career.
With the 26th pick in the 2024 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/F5udBDsKyT
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
Graham Barton, 21, is the first Blue Devil product to be taken in the first round of an NFL Draft since former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones was chosen sixth overall by the New York Giants in 2019. He’s also only the seventh first-round pick in program history.
A letter from @grahambarton53's parents pic.twitter.com/iaabTa06Wi
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 26, 2024
He also played guard at points during his college career.
Barton started 39 of his 40 games at Duke and was awarded All-American twice and First Team All-ACC. Seven offensive linemen were picked ahead of the Duke prospect, who many predicted would be a Top-25 choice.
He earned a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00, the second highest score ever for an offensive guard draft prospect since 1987.
Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN NFL Draft expert, says Graham Barton was a steal in the first round and has the potential to be a multi-year Pro Bowler and All-Pro in the NFL.
Many draft analysts believe Barton is one of the NFL Draft’s safer picks, a talent who will provide a team with multiple years of great offensive line play if he stays healthy.
DeWayne Carter, a Duke defensive end, should be the next player picked in the NFL Draft, most likely on Day 3.
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