The Buccaneers lost a major pillar of their Super Bowl LV offensive line when center Ryan Jensen suffered a career ending knee injury during 2022’s training camp. Jensen played with a violent type of physical dominance necessary to set the tone in the professional ranks. While Robert Hainsey has been serviceable in Jensen’s stead, he has lacked the mean streak once shown by Jensen.
These stark differences between Jensen and the current starting center are why the Buccaneers had the position high up on their draft board.
Enter Graham Barton; a 6 foot 5 inch titan formerly of the Duke Blue Devils. He is capable of playing any line position he’s asked to, yet he performed at an elite level at Center the final six games of Duke’s 2023 season.
The moment the Buccaneers drafted Graham Barton. Seeing dreams come true never gets old! @953WDAE @iHeartRadio #NFLdraft pic.twitter.com/2OJgYg5jNN
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) April 26, 2024
The one knock on Barton is his shorter than average arm length, but the tangibles everywhere else stack up big time. He has quick feet, a high football IQ, and is a born athlete, partly given from his background playing lacrosse. Barton spoke a little about his athleticism during a short interview directly after he was selected, citing his raw athletic talent as the “main reason” he had found a new home so high in the draft.
Barton was the player GM Jason Licht and his staff wanted. They had him on the board as a Center, but Licht made sure to speak on Barton’s keen ability to play a mix of O-line positions. Licht told media members the team was “crossing their fingers” in the Bucs’ War Room, hoping another team did not pick Barton before it was their turn to make a selection. They targeted their man and they got him.
Krewe, meet @grahambarton53 👋#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/2Pl5nL7a8F
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 26, 2024
It’s important to note that Barton ranked a 9.99 of 10 RAS score as a Guard, ranking 3rd amongst Guards dating back to 1987. 1532 prospects have been graded at that position in the past 37 years, with only two being technically ranked higher than Barton, which is insane considering how many dominant guards have come and gone over the past four decades. Barton will be a Day 1 starter and whether he’s snapping the ball to Baker Mayfield or setting holes for the Bucs’ run game as a guard, this kid’s future is a potential supernova in the making.
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