The Buccaneers' top draft needs were Edge rusher, OL, and CB. Tthe top four Edge rushers were off the board before their pick. Therefore, the Bucs went with the very smart decision to snag the top Center in the draft. Graham Barton is 6'5' 313 lbs with 32 7/8" arms. He was a two time First-team All-ACC lineman and made 34 starts at left tackle and 5 starts at Center while playin for Duke. Most scouts project Barton to play center in the NFL where he could use his athleticism and tenacity to be a plug-and-play starter from day one.
Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor said "This is what I think about when I think about Graham Barton -
you mix a grizzly bear, you put in a ballerina, and you put in a lion," Taylor said on the Bleav in Steelers Podcast. "Those people don't come around too often." The Buccaneers did an excellent job getting good value.
Grade: A+~Mark P, Bucs Analyst