Pro Football Focus released a new mock draft after the Super Bowl, and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton made the first-round cut.
PFF writer Trevor Sikkema projected Barton to go 26th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The former Blue Devil played offensive tackle for the past three seasons in Durham, but he projects more as an interior lineman at the professional level. He actually played center for Duke as a freshman.
“Barton is a tough son of a gun with vice grip-like hand strength and enough experience to realistically start in his rookie season,” Sikemma wrote about the 21-year-old lineman.
The PFF analyst also praised Barton’s versatility as a prospect (see: center as a freshman), and Sikemma (a noted Bucs fan) said the offensive interior is Tampa’s biggest need.
🚨 NEW MOCK DRAFT 🚨
Picks 25-32 👀 https://t.co/zg5H8Lpci3 pic.twitter.com/7PRZi48cMX
— PFF (@PFF) February 13, 2024
Barton appears to be gaining first-round traction after he also made the top 32 picks in a recent mock draft from The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner.