Former Duke Blue Devil and offensive lineman Graham Barton was seen as one of the more versatile offensive linemen of the 2024 NFL Draft before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having played both center and left tackle in college. He was seen as arguably the top interior offensive lineman in the draft...despite not playing center since 2020.
The Buccaneers had a major hole at center following the retirement of Ryan Jansen this offseason -- Jansen missed the entire regular season in 2022 and 2023 with knee injuries but did play in Tampa's Wild Card loss to the Dallas Cowboys following the 2022 regular season -- and Barton is ready to fill that void immediately. He's getting prepared by enduring a "heavy load" at the center position and getting what head coach Todd Bowles calls a "good baptism".
"This will be a good baptism for him, as far as getting ready for the season," Bowles said, via ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I think he's learned a lot, I think he's eager to get in pads and really show what he can do physically. He's a smart guy." Laine reports Barton and last year's starter Robert Hainsey have been getting first-team reps at center.
At some point, we expect Barton to get the nod, if not right out of the gate. His mean streak will help the Buccaneers get their offensive line right back in good standing. Even Bucs GM Jason Licht said Barton reminded the team of former Bucs guard Ali Marpet and said he has some Ryan Jansen in him. That's not a bad combination to have in a player.
