A Center In The First Round
March 29th, 2024
Duke OL Graham Barton.
OK offensive line haters. Get ready for another war with Joe.
One thing is pretty clear for years on this website. Joe and readers are at polar opposites when it comes to offensive linemen.
Many linemen who fans can’t wait to run out of town Joe defends. Joe’s concept of what a good lineman is and readers’ ideas are often as different as cold and warm beer. That’s why Joe is always brawling with readers on this subject.
As long as this site exists, Joe doesn’t believe that will ever change.
Over at CBS Sports, a guy Joe respects, prickly Pete Prisco believes the Bucs will draft Duke left tackle Graham Barton and move him to center.
The center spot was an issue for them last year, so taking Graham Barton makes sense. He played tackle last year, but most teams think he’s better off inside.
Joe isn’t opposed to drafting a center. Joe knows there are tons of folks who just want to punch someone because they hate Robert Hainsey so much and will thrown their own boat parade when he leaves. #Sad
Joe blames the guy who can’t run worth a damn inside. Believe it or not, NFL running backs are allowed to avoid defenders — which is something Rachaad White is pathetic at (No. 50 last season in average yards per carry after contact — No. 50!).
Joe is not down, however, with wasting a first-round pick on a center (or a guard). Joe noted previously that the top-paid centers typically are drafted late in the third round. Why not get a center later?
First round? That should only be reserved for a game-changer or a tackle. Joe has never seen a guard or a center lead a team down the field late in the game for game-winning score.
Or, draft a corner with a first-round pick. Or — here’s a novel concept — a friggin’ pass rusher!!!! (Lawd)
No, Joe doesn’t like the vast majority of mocks. But Joe knows Prisco puts in the work on these things and Joe believes Prisco is sincere, not just throwing crap on the wall because he gets a rise in the pants pretending he’s some sort of Joel Buchsbaum knockoff.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:11 am
Don’t use the 1st pick on a project….anywhere. Although if we got a guaranteed producer in the 1st and OL I would not be upset about it.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:11 am
First round- DE
Second- guard
Third(A) – pass rushing Lber
Third(B)- Center
Fourth- TE
Thats the positions Id draft. Order may chang, as players available affect who you pick.
But thats the way Id hope it goes.
6th-7th= CB, RB, or WR
March 29th, 2024 at 7:21 am
I would rather see the bucs use the first round pick on bpa than reach for a pass rusher at 26.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:32 am
If Barton is better than JTS or Logan Hall, Joe will get over it.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:38 am
Barton is more than just a center. He has versatility to play every position on the line. Barton is a people mover and we need that. I don’t think that anyone is suggesting taking a center over Jared Verse, Dallas Turner, Latu, etc, but you have to accept the reality that they might be gone at 26. We have to come away with an impact starter. I would take Frasier over Barton and JPJ if we stay at 26. Frasier puts guys on skates in the run game with his leverage. He’s also a natural center. Don’t give me that crap about the average draft position of a center being in the 4th round. Top centers usually go early like Linderbaum, Travis Frederick, Frank Ragnow. It’s not often that you find pro ready center prospects in the draft. That’s why they don’t usually go early.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:45 am
Barton is a project at Center and guard with really short arms. He’s high on lots of folks boards but he is anything but a sure bet. I’d go with Beebe, JPJ, Frazier, Haynes, or Van Pran before drafting him honestly.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:51 am
It seems like the pass rushers picked at around 26th in the NFL have been about 50/50 on being better than average rushers. But even those who have been better than average rushers, then tend to be less than average in the run game.
So, if we are expecting a 3 down defensive edge rusher who will also fill in well as a run stopper, I think we are dreaming.
So, if we draft an edge guy, the best we get is a 50 percent of time, guy good/great at edge rushing.
OT’s picked late in the 1st round bust more.
However, I believe that Barton started every game at center one of his years at Duke, so we have tape on that.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Take a center in the 3rd rd and find a RB with vision and power. White is a good receiver in a rb by-committee backfield.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:53 am
Pick #26 puts you just about the 2nd round. The difference making Edge Rushers are off the table. We need a CENTER not a project to become center, we already have that in Hainsey.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:09 am
Holy smokes!! THAT was a strong take Joe!
March 29th, 2024 at 8:27 am
Let’s just make sure we have a sure thing with our pick…..a Center in the first round would probably be just that. A sixth best edge rusher….nope…..
We have enough positions of need that we could take the best player at their position.
C,G,TE, RB, WR, CB, LB
March 29th, 2024 at 8:29 am
I’m still waiting for you to prove yoru point about game changer but you never do. I see Lots of comebacks and games won by a QB and running back behind a great offesnive line.
at the end of the day your rule is totally fake. Plenty of well established professionals of multipel teams have drafted a center in the first round. You draft talent not position. The most likely edge at #26 this year is a likely scrub.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:41 am
Since we’ll be running 11 personal 90% of the time under Coen, a receiver makes the most sense.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:49 am
i see no issues in taking barton at 26…
but then grab an edge guy in the 2nd – unless bpa is simply too good to pass by…
then def edge in 3rd…
and if for some reason there is no move to get a veteran pass rusher, you gotta draft another edge in the 3rd…
draft potentials at this point:
1- edge
2- c
3- edge
3- wr or ilb
4- wr or rb
5- ilb
6- tom brady
7- brock purdy
March 29th, 2024 at 8:50 am
There are enough good centers this draft that we can draft an actual experienced center for a change as opposed to a player that played another position while crossing our fingers and hoping for the best regarding a transition to another position as we seem to do so often. As mentioned, JPJ, Frazier and Van prann are actually centers. The only transition would be to the pro game which all players have to make anyway. One less thing off a rookies plate. Imagine that.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:50 am
If we can pick up a kid that plays with the ferocity of Ryan Jensen, I would have no problem with drafting a center in the first round. It will change the whole complexion of the O-line, open up the running game, and give Mayfield the protection he needs to find his receivers. However, if you go this route, you better not whiff. No busts please!
March 29th, 2024 at 8:51 am
“Joe noted previously that the top-paid centers are drafted on average late in the third round. ”
No one has ever drafted an average. Players are drafted on talent evaluation. Stating we will get this or that player in this or that round without reference to what range of talent is available this year is playing too much franchise mode Madden talk.
March 29th, 2024 at 8:54 am
gotta kinda give white and otten another year for blossoming purposes…
yet drafting a rb or fb type mid draft sounds about right…
hold off on another TE…that’s next year’s draft – if otton, durham and #41 don’t make strides
March 29th, 2024 at 8:58 am
also it’s very interesting to know exactly where sirvocea dennis stands after one year as a buc…
do they legitimately think they found the next in line after LVD…?
if not we’ve gotta grab a quality backer round 4 or so
March 29th, 2024 at 9:04 am
Barton may end up a stud so I don’t mind him in the first. I will say moving him to center though is risky.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Has Jason ever taken a Guard or center in the 1st round only a tackle. What is the gap between a edge in the 1st round and 2nd round? Huge. What is the gap in talent from a 1st round center and a 2nd round center not that much.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:13 am
I read an interesting article from a Chicago Bears fan website (I was bored) where they went back and looked at all the centers drafted in the first or second round since 2014 and compared those centers to ones drafted in later rounds. From what they concluded, your best bet is to draft a center early (1st or 2nd round) rather than waiting. My take on article was that centers don’t run deep (as opposed to quality running back who can be drafted at any round), so the best of them are drafted early.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Just get the best available in each round in the areas of need. Grab the ky qb in 4 or later.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:38 am
If one of the top 3 Edge are there, take him. The remaining 6 Edge players for rds 1-2 are not much different and some will be projects. So Edge may wait to rd 2 – Isaac or Kneeland are my preferences. Rd 1 pick needs to be ready to start.
If the top 3 are gone, the Bucs need to consider C. There are 4 ready to start C and I’m afraid all may be gone by the time the Bucs are on the clock in the 2nd round. There are at least 6 other teams needing a starting C with 5 picking ahead of the Bucs. They are Seattle, Pitt, Miami, Philly, Dallas and Baltimore. My choice on a C to draft in order JPJ, Barton, Frazier and Van Pran.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:40 am
Edge in round 1, actual center in round 2
March 29th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Assuming the Bucs don’t trade back in the 1st and get an extra pick, the Bucs will need to decide which 3 of the remaining 5 holes are priority for rd 3 and 4 for BPA. G, ILB, Power RB, WR and CB.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:50 am
I cannot think of a 1st round center anywhere in football; mainly because centers are worthless as rookies.
Hainsey is a good center, he is just underweight for the position. It would take 3 years for a rookie center to get good enough to challenge Hainsey. Why waste a first round pick on that?
First round will probably be a D=back. Round two will be edge rusher.
Three will be best athlete on the board, probably WR.
Four will be an OL/center.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:52 am
If Latu unavailable, draft C and LG in rounds 1 and 2. Tampa needs to beef up O line. Doesn’t matter if you have high price ME and Mayfield if OL can’t give enough time to throw. Brady had all kinds of time to pass whether with NE or Tampa. That is why he became the GOAT. Had Brady been drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1999, he would be driving a city bus by now.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:53 am
You don’t use a first round pick on a player to change his position. That would be the dumbest decision to use that type of pick to put him in a position he has no experience at.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:55 am
Zach Frazier Rd 1 to Bucs guys , put the guys tape on and you will see he won’t last long , kid is a beast and check it his pro day this Weeknd and no quality edge rusher will be available at 26 and there really ain’t no good edge rushers in this year draft just look at stats. Draft a franchise center in Zach Frazier Rd 1 and if we take edge at pic 2 , JTS and 2 nd round pic together wont be the players Zach Frazier is , this is the year to pick our center for the next decade . Come on Bucs get it right
March 29th, 2024 at 9:55 am
My thoughts are this:
1) If the top pash-rushers are gone as well as QB Penix, slide back some in the first til maybe the last pick and snag the pash rusher Robinson from Missouri…
2) Grab either a CB or WR in 2nd round. Would like to see Ladd McKonkey come our way…
3) Grab Zack Frazier here and make sure we get him……Should have ability to move up with the extra 3rd as well as the extra pick from moving back in the 1st round some.
4) Need a backup RB, so grab one with the extra 3rd we have..
5) Need a better TE…..:Like that kid from Penn State, Theo Johnson….He’s projected around here…
I don’t think we’ll draft a Guard very high….
That Sua Opela kid is massive and strong as hell….39 reps of 225 at his combine….He can move people so I see him as our LG….Keep Hainsey as backup Guard/Center…
March 29th, 2024 at 10:10 am
If the Bucs draft him, I think Barton would start his career at LG. Maybe center eventually, but I would start him out at guard for this season.
I could potentially see Cody Mauch being moved to center this season with Hainsey competing with the free agent signings at RG, too.
If we’ve learned anything over the last two seasons, it’s that they have zero hesitancy in moving guys all over the offensive line to find a combination that they like.
Whether anybody likes it or not, i think they’re going to draft at least one, if not two offensive linemen in their top three picks. They didn’t sign Baker to watch him get pressure up the gut all season again.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:16 am
no, we need an edge rusher in the first round.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:21 am
Robert Hainsey is such a great center that Ryan Jensen who hadn’t played 1 down all year because his left knee was blown up on the second day of practice by Captain Underpants Logan Hall replaced him in TB12’s last playoff game against the Cowboys.
Robert Hainsey < Ryan “Peg Leg” Jensen.
Robert Hainsey wasn’t good enough to beat out a guy in Ryan Jensen for a starting position who was playing on only good leg and the other leg had a blown up knee.
That’s how good Robert Hainsey is.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:22 am
JPJ only has one season where his coaches trusted him to be a full time starter. He grades out well but did so against inferior competition (thinking about the 49ers drafting Trey Lance). Also it’s not like he was second fiddle to a bunch of guys currently starting in the NFL. I would say JPJ comes with a big buyer beware warning.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:23 am
Pass Rush. Pass Rush. We will be better this year if our past rush is better.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:39 am
‘Joe knows there are tons of folks who just want to punch someone because they hate Robert Hainsey so much and will thrown their own boat parade when he leaves. #Sad.’
Maybe a tad melodramatic there Joe? I haven’t seen where fans HATE Robert Hainsey. On the contrary, most seem to like him as a player, just NOT as a Center. Nothing wrong with that; Centers are usually a different breed of cat (aka, Ryan Jensen?). Excellent chance IMO that Hainsey would be very competitive in a Guard’s position.
I have no issue with drafting a starter-capable Center in Rnds 1 or 2. I feel that our 2 biggest NEEDS right now are Center & Edge, and that we should use our top 2 picks on those positions, based on the Bucs’ analysis of BPA when we pick. Most of the mock drafts I see have the top QB, Edge, WR & Oline going before we pick at #26. There seem to be 3 (maybe 4) Centers available worthy of a Bucs’ 1st Rnd or 2nd Rnd pick, but relatively few Edges. I trust JL to pick wisely.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Most of the mock drafts I have seen have the Bucs taking a corner with pick #26 –
– Wiggins
– Rakestraw
– DeJean
Seem to be the popular choices available with pick #26. Makes sense since we traded away C. Davis to Detroit.
I have also seen OLB Chop Robinson mentioned a few times.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:43 am
if john lynch didn’t do the trade with licht, wirfs could be a 9er and protecting brock purdy…
lynch let us get wirfs…
thanks john
March 29th, 2024 at 10:50 am
Yes please
March 29th, 2024 at 10:50 am
LET’S ASK JOE A QUESTION:
How many amazing OL has Licht drafted?
How many amazing pass rushers has Licht drafted?
Anyone who has paid attention knows one is a lot and the other is practically zero (Yaya tbd). Bucs fans should want Licht to draft OL and sign pass rushers in FA.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:04 am
rule number one:
is you pass on anyone from clemson…
we’ve never had much luck with that school…
rule number two:
is to follow rule number one
March 29th, 2024 at 11:09 am
If we grab Barton – I hope is is LG only, and we Draft a C to play C (*Van Pran might be available a little later.
If your OL sucks – the entire offensive team sucks, because no one is given time to do anything. Plus, your run game benefits as well. Just fix the OL once-and-for-all.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:10 am
I get that not every fan is going to understand how offensive line is evaluated in college vs the NFL. The BEST players usually play Tackle, usually the better ones on the left side, then Right then LG, RG and then finally the Center. Centers are usually not that great athletes in college FB but smart especially if their Qb isn’t the brightest guy. That’s way NFL GMs draft Tackles and LG and convert them to Center. Why not pick the best athletes. Especially if they’ve showed they can be versatile. These guys have been told ‘the more you can do’ since Pee Wee FB. They are use to changing positions along the line. Let’s get the best most athletic & versatile players college football has to offer not being just draft a 2nd rate OL guy bc he played C.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:12 am
The problem is that the area of our greatest need (edge) is not very deep this year. No immediate impact players will be available at 26. So, we either give up to move up, or we look at next need.
I agree that drafting a center instead of a guard or tackle to move to center is a good plan. I like Frazier, maybe even better than JPJ, and I think Frazier can be gotten in the 2nd round.
So, if a really top-flight CB or Edge or even WR (high value positions) is available in first round, take them… if not, trade down to the top of 2nd round, get an extra 3rd round pick, and grab Frazier. Then grab one of the project Edge guys at 57, and you have 3 3rd rounds to pick up best players available.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:14 am
The smart money has been on Barton early and often. We pick #26. Not a deep year for edge rushers. Are there even legitimate rushers in the draft? The run game will improve by adding quality linemen to the mix. White stunk out loud initially at finding the hole, but he still flirted with 1000 yards rushing, and it would be really foolish to limit his plays when he is so explosive in the passing game. I dont have a problem with a DE, CB, or BPA with the first round pick, I just dont want to see a reach at that pick. Cooper Dejean is going to be a bust, and Chop Robinson has JTS 2.0 vibes.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:25 am
If the BPA at #26 is also a position of need, you take him.
I make no apologies that the OL and DL are the most important position group with a bias toward the OL. Yeah, a QB is critical, but even he ain’t squat without a solid OL.
And both C and G are critical to team success next season.
I will not be surprised if Licht packages the #3 he got for Davis to move up for a road grader.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:26 am
The draft is a crap shoot, especially at QB, Edge, and other fancy-pants. Not so much of a crap shoot on the lines.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:27 am
Jared Verse, edge rusher, for the first round. For center Zach Frazier center. That is if we can get one of them.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:32 am
i look at a lot of these mock drafts, and a few have barton getting snatched away right before us at 24 or 25 – to the cowboys or green bay…
i just looked at one that had us drafting JPJ at 26…
just sayin’………yeah i think these mocks are full of sh!t 🙂
March 29th, 2024 at 11:34 am
This year’s draft is thin at DE/OLB. I don’t want Licht to reach on a 1st round pick for one out of desperation. That position doesn’t make an impact until year 2-3 anyhow. I’d be okay with a CB pick in the first, but I’d rather see Barton picked at 26 or JPJ, if he manages to make it past 20. Either of them could make a bigger impact their rookie season.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:43 am
@ adam
JPJ would be a solid pick but I doubt he will make it past the Eagles. They need to replace Kelce…
March 29th, 2024 at 11:52 am
BelleGlade Buc.
Yup, that about sums up the Robert Hainsey experience. Hes a backup. We need a starter.
March 29th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
1st – C
2nd – Edge
3rd X2 – CB and RB
March 29th, 2024 at 12:47 pm
If the Bucs draft another Tyler Linderbaum in the 1st round – they’ll have one of best OLines in NFL
March 29th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
If we only had Zack Moss… things would have been different.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:24 pm
Most mock drafts have both Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson gone before 26. Miami (pick 21), Philadelphia ((pick 22), Dallas (pick 24) all could possibly take a center. If that is who they are targeting they would have to trade one of their third round picks to move up to Pittsburgh’s spot at pick 20. Otherwise hold your breath and hope one falls unexpectedly. Best draft strategy imo is best player available from group of C, G, Edge, WR, CB.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:50 pm
Can we not just draft a College Center, and a College Guard? We see what we have seen in how a former RT at ND is doing at C. Yes Marpet and Cappa both are great examples of the draft a T to play G. Center is a different animal than Guard, several on JBF are former players is this not so? So why not Draft a Center for the Center position on our 24 Oline? I like the 44 consecutive starting C of the Georgia Bulldogs.
March 29th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Edge rusher or Center… whoever they deem to be best at pick 26 BUT ….. their edge rusher picks in the first round are atrocious over the years.
As for Joe blaming the “the guy who can’t run worth a damn inside”, I do not get it.
White is a smooth, upright, patient runner. Hard to run inside when the center and guards get blown up and there is a defender 1 step away from the handoff 1/3 of the time.
HAINSEY is atrocious at run blocking.
White will be vastly improved with better interior blocking.
That said, if VERSE DE from FSU is there, I would take him, otherwise, Powers-Johnson C from Oregon
March 29th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Jason will do the right thing. Relax.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
1st center
2nd Guard
3rd a Edge rusher 1
3rd b Edge rusher 2
5th TE/WR get the backup TE from WU. He is big enough to be a TE and fast enough to play WR3
6th ILB for depth
7th an athletic QB to develop, keep Trask and trade Wolford to the Rams.
Resign Jarrett use him at WR more
Resign Tucker and use him more or let him go. He is too good to not play
Finally, look for more DL, T, G, that have size and speed to develop on our practice squad for 1 year.
We also have Patrick Laird as RB4. He is a better runner than White and should be getting more action. They could truly live without Edmonds. We need a contrasting back to share the load with White. Laird should be RB3, White RB2, and Tucker RB1.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
I don’t have a problem drafting a guard or center in round 1 if they feel he’s a guaranteed immediate starter and likely pro-bowler. But if you can get a 3rd round player to do the same job who isn’t maybe as good an athlete, I think it makes sense to wait and instead spend 1st round picks on the high-end athletes where it makes the most impact, like Edge or CB or WR… or this year TE (Brock Bowers, if we could get him).
March 29th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
If they are going to pull the trigger on a true center go for the best, if he is available. Jackson-Powers Johnson. And then move Hainsey to the left or sign some more free agents for more competition. Trust me, Jason always finds some gems in the later rounds when it comes to the Offense line. Obviously if there is a pass rusher when we pick, this conversation is moot.
March 29th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
No thanks.
If it’s round 1, they need to have played center in college and even that’s a reach.
There’s options later in the draft.
March 30th, 2024 at 7:09 am
I’ll take a Center over a CB any day in the 1st. One is protecting your 30 million dollar man and the other one can’t even look at a Offensive player without getting some flag. Oline will make more of a impact.
March 30th, 2024 at 7:55 pm
Jared Verse had a field day against this clown