During training camp, Buccaneers' first-round pick Graham Barton is prioritizing effective communication in the trenches and being definitive at the line of scrimmage. He is striving to earn Baker Mayfield's trust and learning the playbook during instruction on the practice fields. While responding to a variety of looks and cadences presented by the defense, Barton is learning in detail. With Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry, Barton is focused on technique.
"I think it is just about playing long. That is a coaching point that we like to say, being able to keep defenders off your body and hold the depth of the pocket and pass off in the twist game and sort of create space in the run game," said Barton. "That has been a big emphasis for me and something I have to work on."
Barton earned freshman All-America honors at center in 2020 and went on to start 34 games at left tackle over the last three seasons of his collegiate tenure at Duke. His position flexibility became a draw for many teams during the pre-draft cycle and Barton will continue to compete for the Bucs' starting center job in 2024. With core strength, violent hands and effective movement skills, Barton will add another dimension to Tampa Bay's offensive line.
Going against nose tackle Vita Vea and three-technique Calijah Kancey has fostered development for Barton in the acclimation process.
"It is awesome to go against guys like that," noted Barton. "They are some of the best in the league and round the league, so being able to go against guys like that, it is sort of a sink or swim mentality. You either lose a rep and learn from it against those guys or you win a rep, and you build a little bit of confidence so I think building on that and getting to go against those guys over and over, will make me a better player."
During the transition process from tackle to center, Barton is embracing the additional responsibility. The center is tasked with snapping the ball, directing the offensive line in the correct direction to execute the play, prepping pass protection calls, and identifying the middle linebacker/incoming blitzers. The role is taxing and the center sets the tone up front. Barton is acting as a sponge, absorbing information from his counterparts to cultivate growth.
"You are sort of setting up the play for the offensive line," Barton describes on the center role. "It starts with your identification and your call, so it is slightly more of a burden, but I would say the offensive line position in the NFL as a whole is a lot of a mental burden that people may not necessarily realize. You see a lot throughout the year from different defenses and you have to be able to block all of it on any play, so I think just adjusting to that is going to take some time, but I am coming along well, and I take it one day at a time and keep learning and keep growing and adjusting to this offense."
