The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and here we are examining how each team that had a first-rounder did.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton with the 26th overall pick, and in many ways, that pick is a perfect blend of need and upside for the Bucs at that spot.
Barton began his Blue Devils career at center in 2020 and then started 34 games at left tackle over the last three seasons of his collegiate career. His positional flexibility was alluring to many teams, but his work at the center appeals most to the Buccaneers.
USA Today handed out grades for every single first-round pick last night, and here’s what they decided for Tampa Bay.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, C, Duke – Grade: B
In an offseason that could have been a disaster for the Buccaneers, Jason Licht found a way to keep everything together. His solid effort extends to the draft, as Tampa Bay addressed its shaky interior with Barton. A left tackle for the last three seasons at Duke, the 6-5, 313-pounder exhibits the strength, smarts and smooth movements to slide back to the pivot, where he started his career with the Blue Devils. He should help lead the charge for improving a run game that averaged a league-worst 3.4 yards per carry in 2023.
Giving Tampa Bay a “B” for their efforts feels reasonable. The Bucs were in a tough spot because if they traded down, there was a chance Barton would not have made it past the Dallas Cowboys, who also coveted Barton’s versatility.
With Barton in the fold, he will likely take over for 2023 starter Robert Hainsey. Barton posted the highest RAS of any center since 1987. His athleticism at center is unprecedented. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who just signed a three-year, 100 million dollar deal, will be thrilled to have this level of protection and football IQ protecting him up the middle.