Offensive lineman Graham Barton goes first round in latest The Athletic mock draft

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton has been right on the edge of the top 32 in most mock drafts, but The Athletic had him in the middle of the first round on Monday.

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton has been right on the edge of being a first-round prospect during the evaluation process, but a Monday mock draft from The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner had Barton firmly within the first 32 picks.

Baumgardner picked Barton with the 21st overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in his latest projections, and the Blue Devil was the eighth offensive lineman and third interior lineman selected in his mock draft.

The Athletic writer called Barton, who played both tackle and center with the Blue Devils, the most versatile lineman in the class and said the former Duke lineman could be a center at the next level.

Despite being the No. 75 player on PFF’s Big Board and a standout performance during Senior Bowl practice, Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter was absent from Baumgardner’s three-round mock draft.