The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted former Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick during the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday evening.
Barton was the eighth offensive lineman selected during Thursday’s opening round. He’ll get to protect former Oklahoma quarterback and 2017 Heisman winner Baker Mayfield.
Barton played both left tackle and center with the Blue Devils, and he’s expected to play as a guard or a center in the NFL. Since their home victory in Super Bowl LV, the Bucs have three interior starters on the offensive line. Center Ryan Jensen and guard Ali Marpet both retired and guard Alex Cappa left for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.
The Buccaneers were a frequent landing spot for Barton during the leadup to Thursday’s opening round. A handful of national analysts predicted that Tampa Bay would take the former Blue Devil.
Welcome to the Buccaneer fam, @grahambarton53 ‼️#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/tnmRdv2NOX
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
Barton becomes the eighth Blue Devil taken in the first round of the NFL draft and the third since 1987.