How Did Graham Barton Work Out As A Rookie?
June 24th, 2025
Ranking.
Joe heard a lot of football folks before last season, including Chucky and Brian Baldinger, rave about Bucs 2024 first-round pick Graham Barton and knight him as a future star.
Well, it seems Barton might have company as the best center to come out of the draft last year, despite being the only center taken in the first round.
The gang at the financially crippled The 33rd Team this summer decided to rank all rookie offensive linemen by how they prevented pressure. Barton was the third-best center in pressure rates allowed. Barton’s numbers were behind Pittsburgh center Zach Frazier (second round) and Dallas center Cooper Beebe (third round).
Joe has no issue with this ranking. Barton will be fine. He’s got a solid veteran to his left and a young stud to his right. He’ll be good.
If you think about it, is there a better young offensive line than what the Bucs have? They have drafted everyone but left guard Ben Bredeson. And only Tristan Wirfs is on his second contract.
June 24th, 2025 at 1:31 am
Barton was better than I expected. I watched him take everything the NFL could use to crucify a rookie center and he said. No sir , Not today!
We agree Joe our five are pretty dang good and can only get better. Paying them all could become a problem down the road. Frustrating that draft success gets you in salary cap problems.
Go Bucs!
June 24th, 2025 at 1:57 am
Barton improved tremendously over the year is the big thing. At the start of the season he was a bit overwhelmed, in particular with all the movement the offensive line does, but by the end of the year he looked like a different guy and I have no doubt he’ll be considered a top center in the league very soon.
June 24th, 2025 at 2:05 am
And to think what seems a lifetime ago this team thought they could just buy the best oline in the league. We had the highest paid front five and they couldn’t hold a candle to this current group. No offense to Davin and the krew back then, but hats off to our management and what they have been able to build. It’s gunna be a good season, feels right. Like something’s in the air.
June 24th, 2025 at 3:36 am
imagine if marpet was still in there at left guard as the wily ole vet of the line…
just a thought
June 24th, 2025 at 6:41 am
That is one heck of a line. I’m pretty sure that Goedeke will retire a few years after his second contract though like Marpet did. For a concussion prone offensive lineman every game is like brain salad surgery.
June 24th, 2025 at 7:44 am
I’d like to see how the others compare character wise to Barton.
He’s probably a future congressman, based on his degree and connections. Plus I wonder how good the defensive linemen and defenses were that each of these guys went up against. I think both matter.
I do understand that both of the above are not easy to judge and can be quite objective.
June 24th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Rod. Barton had 5 penalties called against him in the month of December. He might have been better in some areas as the season progressed, but those penalties were as follows:
4 holdings
1 ineligible down field
and
an illegal shift a 6th that I am not counting against him.
June 24th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Graham was a rookie and did make some errors. He felt bad about them too. Expecting he has learned a lot and we will see a big difference this year.
June 24th, 2025 at 8:45 am
Graham handled his duties and responsibilities as a center very well last year.
He also played very well for a rookie and got better as the season went on.
I saw him take ownership of his mistakes last year, during a press conference.
He’s a solid young man who’s going to be a top-flight center in another year or two.
June 24th, 2025 at 9:05 am
This is but one measure.
June 24th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Joe u left out the Italian wonder, Bortolini, and Alt….I see him as 5th
June 24th, 2025 at 10:21 am
Barton was solid overall…can’t fault the pick one bit.
“Financially crippled” ( I like when The Joes “play thru the whistle” while taking veiled shots…I truly do ). The 33rd Team has a payroll/roster chock full of washed execs ( looking at you, Royale Tannenbaum ) and coaches ( Wanny and Mike Shartz ). At least they have Buc legend Rondè Barber to provide some street cred.
June 24th, 2025 at 10:55 am
THINK BACK …
Wirfs year 1 to year 2
Goedeke year 1 to year 2
Mauch year 1 to year 2
MASSIVE improvements (albeit Wirfs was a stud year 1, too).
If/when Barton improves like the others did … look out!!!!!
June 24th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Barton will be a Pro Bowler within 2 years – perhaps even All Pro.
He’s at a level of athleticism that you just don’t usually see in a Center – and on top of that he’s super intelligent.
Add the great teammate/high character/future leader aspects into the mix and this guy quickly becomes a home run from a late 1st rd selection…..
Last year was only the 2nd time in 11 years that Jason Licht had ever used a 1st round pick on an OLine player…. the other time of course being Tristan Wirfs.
June 24th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
I was a little miffed at the bad snaps. I doubt I’ll see another judging from what I see on this kid. I think he gets nervous like Fred Bilitnikoff.
June 24th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
I agree Pickgrin and Sly Pirate.
Kidfloflo- Bortollini and Alt don’t play C though. 5th overall amongst rookie OL for Graham makes it even better.