The 2024 NFL season is still a couple of months away, but that’s not stopping national outlets from putting out some preseason predictions, and the latest one from NFL.com aims to predict this year’s all-rookie team.
One member of the Bucs’ class from the 2024 NFL draft makes the cut, as NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has offensive lineman Graham Barton on his list.
Here’s what Reuter had to say about Barton as he heads into his first NFL campaign:
The Buccaneers landed the best center in the draft, a much-needed addition for a team that wants to win a fourth straight NFC South title and make a deeper playoff run this time around. Barton can play any spot on the offensive line despite his average length. Also, he possesses the intelligence to handle calling protections and making adjustments in the middle of the line. There are many accolades in his future, including a spot on the 2024 All-Rookie Team.
Barton was already getting first-team reps at center during the Bucs’ mandatory minicamp, so it won’t be surprising if he’s their Week 1 starter there, supplanting veteran Robert Hainsey.
The No. 26 overall pick out of Duke should immediately improve Tampa Bay’s ground game, which has struggled over the past few years. If he makes a big enough impact, all-rookie honors wouldn’t be a shock.
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