The Athletic published a mock NFL draft on Thursday with each team’s beat writers contributing their team’s pick, and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton made the first round.
The former Blue Devil went 31st overall to the San Fransisco 49ers, last year’s NFC champions who went to the Super Bowl.
Barton played offensive tackle over his last three seasons in Durham, but he started at center as a freshman and may move to guard in the pros.
“Versatility is an increasingly valuable commodity on the offensive line,” The Athletic’s David Lombardi wrote. “Barton has a lot of that adaptability.”
Lombardi pointed out that, outside of future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams, the 49ers struggled to keep the pocket clean last season, and several San Fransisco linemen could be gone by the end of next season.
“(Barton’s) athletic with a strong base,” Lombardi wrote. “Just the ingredients San Francisco could work with to mold a rookie who’d contribute where needed in 2024.”
The 49ers are one of Barton’s most popular projected landing spots during the draft cycle, with most experts having him either in the bay or with the Buccaneers.