The Bucs took a big step toward solidifying the interior of their offensive line for the long-term on Thursday night by selecting Duke’s Graham Burton with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Barton’s stock continued to rise. What’s particularly impressive is that his stock has continued to rise even though he missed the Senior Bowl and missed the NFL Scouting Combine due to injury.
Duke OL Graham Burton – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The fact that his reputation grew without participating in any significant pre-draft events speaks to the quality of what Burton recorded at Duke. It also doesn’t hurt that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.97 seconds (a top-five mark among offensive linemen at the combine) and 7.31 seconds at the Blue Devils’ pro day. Second three-cone drill (should have tied for third at the combine).
Barton’s athleticism is evident, and that’s backed up by: His perfect 10.00 RAS score — Highest score among 619 centers from 1987 to 2024.
Bucks have option with Graham Burton
graham burton, his 6-foot-5, 313-pound body is extremely versatile. He played the majority of his college games at left tackle, but also started five games at center in 2020. Some projected him as a guard during the pre-draft process, but the fact that he can play all five positions on the offensive line was a big part of what drew Bucs general manager Jason Richt to him. Will. Because Richt loves linemen. This is to give the game more versatility.
Having said that, when Tampa Bay announces player picks Barton was listed as a center. And in a late-night press conference Thursday, Richt said he could play guard and was a great tackle in college, but they view him as a center. So, for now, the plan appears to be to kick Burton inside and replace him with Robert Hainsey.
The Blue Devils star is capable in both pass protection and the run game, and has been compared to former Bucs Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet for his athleticism, toughness, football IQ, and physicality. There’s no doubt that Tampa Bay would like to acquire another Marpet. He quickly established himself as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history before retiring prematurely.
Duke OL Graham Burton – Photo courtesy of Duke
Although he appears to be the Bucs’ replacement for Hainsey (and Ryan Jensen before that), Barton’s versatility gives Tampa Bay several options when it comes to the composition of its offensive line. Tampa Bay could select a center on the second or third day of the draft, so nothing needs to be set in stone.
The current situation is as follows.
Option 1: Barton in the center
LT: Tristan Wirfs
LG: Sua Opeta/Ben Bredeson/Draft pick candidate
C: Graham Burton
RG: Cody Mauf
RT: Luke Goedeke
Option 2: Barton at left guard.
LT: Tristan Wirfs
LG: Graham Burton
C: Robert Hainsey/Ben Bredeson/Draft pick candidate
RG: Cody Mauf
RT: Luke Goedeke
Graham Burton always felt right at the Bucks. One of the best bets on the Bucks on Pewter Report Heading into the draft. Burton was also the team’s first-round draft pick in the Pewter Report article. Mock Draft 2.0 and 3.0. Tampa Bay held formal talks with the former Duke standout at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he is now the newest Bucs player.
Barton wore No. 62 in college, and with Ryan Jensen’s retirement this offseason, it looks like the rookie will be able to get that number if he wants it. Given how Richt and his staff view Barton and how much he fills a big need on the offensive line, the board’s fall like this is a big deal for those in Tampa Bay’s draft room. It was a big win for us.
Welcome to the Buccaneer fam. @Grahambarton53 ‼ ️#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/tnmRdv2NOX
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
