The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to upgrade multiple spots along the interior of their offensive line, and the 2024 NFL draft has a few prospects at the top of the class who would be ideal fits with their first-round pick.
On a recent conference call with the media, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked about the differences between Duke’s Graham Barton, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier.
The question was asked from the perspective of how they would fit with the Detroit Lions, but DJ’s answer had plenty of info that would apply to how the Bucs might evaluate the trio:
If you asked me who’s the Lion in the group, I would say the third one, Frazier. The four–time state champ wrestler. A guy who’s got a tenacity and a physicality to and through the whistle. He kind of fits their style, as you know, there. I think he’s worthy being taken there in the bottom of the first round. I have no problem with that at all.
In terms of stylistically, Graham Barton is the best athlete of the three. I think he has legit 5 position flexibility. He can move around and do different things. Played left tackle. I think he’s best at center, but he can survive at tackle if you needed him to. I think he’s fully capable of playing guard as well. He’s the best in space, change in direction, just overall athleticism. He’s really, really talented there.
Jackson Powers–Johnson, he’s just bigger. He’s 328 pounds. He’s going to be more set a firm pocket. You want more of a mauler/brawler in the run game. He’s not a poor athlete. He’s just not the athlete the other two guys are out in space. But he’s a physical, strong, sturdy presence there in the middle who you’ll be able to set a nice deep pocket with him.
I think they’re three kind of distinctly different players, but I think all three of them are excellent, and I think all three of them are ready to start right away.
Barton’s athleticism and versatility would likely appeal most to the Bucs, who need help at both left guard and center, while Powers-Johnson and Frazier would both be more direct fits at the center spot.
If Barton is available at the No. 26 pick, it feels like an easy selection for Tampa Bay to make. If he’s off the board, moving back a few slots and targeting one of the center prospects would be the ideal move if the Bucs want to address that area of the line with their top pick.
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