The Bucs beefed up their interior line with the 26th overall pick.

The Bucs made an aggressive effort to improve the interior protection for Baker Mayfield and the run game as they selected Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick.

Announced as a center, he should immediately seize the keystone from Robert Hainsey. Let’s learn more about the new Bucs draftee.

Graham Barton Career Stats

Barton accumulated plenty of experience at Duke, starting 39 of 40 games over 4 years (34 at left tackle, 5 at center). He immediately stood out, earning second-team freshman All-American and then later getting consecutive first-team All-ACC honors and second-team All-American last year.

A 3-star recruit, he was the No. 41 guard in the 2020 class but carved out a successful college career as a blindside protector for the Blue Devils. However, he does not have the length to stick at the next level, nor do the Bucs want him there. He’ll be a center from the get-go, which he does have experience at.

Athletic Testing

Barton tested atnan elite level for center. which is a practical necessity for any Jason Licht first-round pick. As an offensive guard profile, a Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 makes him the second-best athlete since 1987 per that particular metric.

Barton’s Next Gen Stats athletic score clocked in at 92, which was 3rd overall for centers in this year’s draft (estimated). So yeah, the guy is a stud NFL athlete who’s going to slide right in, no problem.

His 3-cone really stands out and cements the fantastic agility shown on tape. A 7.31 3-cone is absurd for his 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame.

What Type of Player Is Graham Barton?

Barton is an impressively cerebral player. He has a clear understanding of his landmarks, the blocking scheme, and play-to-play assignments. He pairs that with a bull hammer mentality to finish every defender he latches his grasp onto, which surely appeals to Licht and his search for, in his words, “pricks”.

Barton still plays an aware brand of football, as he’ll quickly identify games and loopers and react accordingly. Not only does he recognize these kinks, but he has the active athleticism to recover at any stage in the play.

He didn’t bench in the pre-draft process due to a shoulder ailment, but Barton’s superior strength shows up consistently as a man who seeks to assert his will from whistle to whistle. His ability to move and pull, especially in Liam Coen’s scheme, will be paramount in the run game and should create some added oomph to outside runs for Rachaad White.

That said, Barton will experience an adjustment period as he enters the pros. The smarts, athleticism, and controlled aggression are all great starting points, but he has some issues in pass pro with ducking his head and hugging guys who do get past his frame (14 penalties the last two years).

The latter definitely stemmed from lack of length and playing left tackle, so the hope is likely that it will be significantly mitigated at center. He could use some more sand in the pants to anchor against bull rushers, but that can be aided with time in an NFL strength and conditioning program.

Conclusion

Overall, Barton is a high-ceiling center who already possesses several tantalizing tools to come and succeed sooner rather than later. The team needed that tone-setter after Ryan Jensen’s tragic injury, and Barton was likely the best choice for that mantle in this draft.

Barton should also provide guard versatility, so no matter what he’s going to see the field his rookie year from Week 1.

What do you think about this pick, Bucs Nation? Vote in the poll and comment below!