As much as the Bucks have built up their defensive trenches over the past two years with top draft picks in Logan Hall and Kariyah Kanci, general manager Jason Richt and other front office members have drafted and developed them. I have placed a high priority on The next era of offensive line.
Starting off by selecting left tackle Tristan Wirfs in 2020, Tampa Bay followed that up by taking Luke Gedeke and Cody Mauf in the second round in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
That was before they chose Graham Burton. Picked 26th overall on Thursday night. For Richt, the team wanted to set the tone for the draft class by acquiring Barton, but it’s clear the team values him very highly as both a player and a person.
Bucks GM Jason Licht: Graham Burton is ‘the epitome of what we’re looking for’
By selecting Graham Burton, the Bucs are not only investing in building their offensive line, but also in protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield, the team’s new $100 million man. revealed.
The team hopes to build on last year’s success, which means growth for everyone, but there’s also an emphasis on strengthening the Interior offensive line, which was considered the group’s weakness. Barton will play a key role in activating the front line, giving Mayfield time to throw and clearing lanes for running back Rashard White to pass through.
Bucks GM Jason Licht – Photo by Adam Slivon/PR
Bucks general manager Jason Richt praised his ability to do just that from that jump.
“He embodies what we want from this culture that we’re building here, that Todd.” [Bowles] We want and we want to be here,” Richt said Friday afternoon at the beginning of Barton’s first in-person news conference. “Leading our draft class, not just leading our draft class, but leading our team. We all depend on our O-line room, so having him in our O-line room Joining us will be of great help to us.”
Barton is currently on the roster and is considered the team’s center after Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and will likely start in place of Robert Hainsey. After starting five games as a center for the Blue Devils in 2020, he was anchored as the team’s left tackle for the final three years of his college career.
It has been a while since he has played in midfield, but what intrigues the team is his versatility, which is one of the few things that stands out in the team. his scouting report. He’s ready wherever the team places him.
“I think part of this whole process was flexibility in my position,” Barton said after being selected Thursday. “I think it’s the center [or] Guard is probably where I’m supposed to be, and then I’ll see where I fit best, what they need most, and what works best for me. I’ve been working on it all spring. I’ve been snapping for the past few months and I’m feeling pretty good and confident.
Bucks OL Graham Burton – Photo courtesy of Duke
“I’m ready to play. Obviously there’s still a lot of things to improve on and I will continue to do so, but I’m going to keep chasing those improvements and continue to mature as a footballer and grow my game. Keep going, that’s what it’s all about.” I’m looking forward to doing it in Tampa Bay. I think I can play anywhere and I’m looking forward to working with them to figure out where I fit best and where I can help the team. ”
Licht is similarly confident in his ability to make a difference.
“We have a lot of confidence in Graham,” Richt added. “I think we hit another chord with him because I think he just has the skill set and is the person we were looking for. Our scouts were following him…process. Very early on, we spent a long time studying him and dissecting him, but there were very few holes that we could poke him in.”
The Bucs have built their offensive line by identifying traits and personalities.
when you see The process by which the Bucks drafted Graham Burton, a lot of emphasis was placed on the player, but the person is just as important when it comes to fit within the locker room and the desire to reach one’s ceiling. Jason Licht relied on input and input from the rest of the front office when making the decision to acquire Barton, but admitted they had no doubts about his high character. in fact, he remembered When discussing him, I gave the opinions of other Bucs offensive linemen.
Bucks GM Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of Buccaneers
“We talked to him there. [NFL Scouting] Join us,’” Richt said of how much he and the team talked to Barton. “Unfortunately, I was absent from that meeting and was attending another meeting where I believe I was representing Mike Evans.” [Deryk Gilmore]. It probably was a good idea to do that. And some of the other Zooms that Graham did with our coaches were really in that range.
“You have players like Graham, you have the resources that we have, you have the scouts who get the information. [were] There were very few questions we had about him as a person because we know what kind of man he is. ”
Richt has had great success drafting and developing quality offensive linemen throughout his tenure as general manager. Between Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs, Robert Hainsey, Luke Goedeke, and Cody Mauf, Tampa Bay has done a very good job of finding players who can become starters throughout the draft. Ta.
This tells us that the team can do it with just one first-round pick (Wirfs). With another top pick investing in Barton, they hope he can continue that pedigree and produce more bang for their buck.
“Our players do a great job drafting them. Jason [Licht], [assistant general manager John] spy[tek], [and director of player personnel Mike] Beal and the rest of the guys have done a great job of identifying the types of players we need and how to get them here,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “And they’re not necessarily first-rounders all the time. [they’re] You can groom those who fit the characteristics, which will at least give you the opportunity to build it from the inside. I think that’s important to us. ”
