2024 NFL Draft Study: OL Graham Barton

by Ted Kluck

Category: Tackles Who Could Play Elsewhere

Graham Barton, Duke

Games Studied: at Florida State (2023), vs. Clemson (2023) at Georgia Tech (2022)

PROS:  Man, this guy was nastier in the run game in three minutes of tape than Joe Alt was in three games worth.  He REALLY runs his feet and plays with pad level and FINISHES.  I’m always drawn to a guy like this.  He’s not as freaky athletically as any of the elite OT prospects from last year, but man…when Duke’s run game popped…it was often because of Barton.  Doesn’t just get his hat/hips across…he’s trying to wipe you out, which is cool.  Sometimes catches two or three guys downfield in the run game, and shows really nice body control on combo-to-backer type stuff.  That’s gonna translate.  And his ’23 tape, to me, was considerably better than the ’22 stuff. 

Barton will be playing center at the Senior Bowl, which speaks volumes about where the NFL is projecting him, and that will be fun to see.  I think his pass-pro style (more below) will project better inside.  He reminds me a little bit of Matt Bergeron from last year (a compliment). 

CONS:  There’s nothing really noteworthy about the size, the build, or the testing numbers (probably).  He’s not gonna get much bigger, doesn’t offer a crazy wingspan, and may project better to guard or even center (as a cerebral guy).  As a result of the arm length is more of a catcher/clamper than a punch guy in pass-pro, and may struggle with NFL power.  I worry about him against a guy like Keion White or even a John Cominsky type.  He’s on the ground/dropping to a knee a little more than you’d like, for an elite prospect, and he’s not a guy about which you say, “wow, the kick-slide is really smooth!” like a Charles Cross or

The lack of athleticism sometimes manifests when he’s dealing with a second move, in pass pro.  Could this be coached-out/cleaned-up…probably?  But he’s seeing freaks across the line EVERY week at the next level, which is why a move inside may make sense.