Graham Barton, OT Duke: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Barton was a three-star recruit from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn. in the class of 2020
Duke left tackle Graham Barton doesn’t have the size to stick on the outside at the next level. He will transition inside and immediately become one of the best guards or centers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Graham Barton, OT Duke: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Senior left tackle from Brentwood, Tenn.
Background: Barton was a three-star recruit from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 672 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 716 for On3.com. Barton was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. In high school, he was the 2019 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Barton also earned All-Region selections three times, All-Midstate honors twice, and spots on the All-State Team twice. Ravenwood went 41-13 during his four years with the program and won the state championship in 2019. Barton lettered twice in lacrosse. He was born on June 1, 2002.
Injuries & Off-Field: N/A
Awards: 2021 Second Team Freshman All-America (The Athletic), 2022 First Team All-ACC
Pros: Experience playing center and left tackle, more than 2,000 offensive snaps played, motor runs hot, maintains knee bend, loads power through his hips, works inside-out in pass pro, vision helps him sort through multiple threats, throws in change-up pass sets to keep defenders honest, frames blocks well to contain defenders, ideal hand placement, patient with his hands, replaces hands quickly to challenge counters, plenty of hand counters, developed counters to neutralize long-arms and protect his chest, clamp strength keeps him attached to defenders even when facing push-pull moves, impressive lower body strength despite not being too thick in his lower half, sturdy core keeps things aligned and on track, drives his legs to clear running lanes, plays above his weight in the run game, capable of pulling and being a lead blocker, comfortable climbing and landing blocks at the second level, strong enough to seal defenders inside or out
Cons: Committed seven penalties in 2022, subpar arm length for a tackle, likely an exclusive interior player, lack of arm length creates some matchup issues, not an explosive athlete, kick step and slide aren’t fast or explosive, limited footspeed and agility to carry rushers all the way up the arc, bull rushes will walk him back into the QB, struggles to re-anchor when defenders get into his chest, sometimes slips off blocks while trying to match his opponent’s power, Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku (2022) blew him up on one pass pro rep, occasionally lunges into blocks in the run game and gets beat, angles to second-level blocks must be corrected
Overview: Barton enters 2023 with more than 2,000 offensive snaps to his name, split across the left tackle and center positions. He maintains knee bend throughout plays and loads power through his hips. Barton works inside-out in pass protection and uses his excellent vision to identify threats. He throws in change-up pass sets to keep defenders honest. This includes stepping out to meet the defender and deflate the pass rush. Some of the most impressive elements of Barton’s game are his hand usage and ability to frame blocks. His patient hands land with ideal placement. When challenged by counters, the senior quickly replaces his hands and re-establishes leverage. Barton also has plenty of counters in his arsenal. He knows how to counter long-arm moves and bull rushes that threaten his chest. The All-ACC selection’s clamp strength keeps him attached to defenders even when facing push-pull moves. He has impressive lower body strength for his build that is amplified by his core strength. Barton’s motor runs hot in the run game. He drives his legs to displace defenders and clear rushing lanes. The left tackle plays above his weight in the run game, frequently sealing stronger players. Barton’s mobility makes him capable of pulling and being a lead blocker or climbing and landing blocks at the second level. However, he needs to take better angles to defenders at the second level to avoid whiffing on blocks. Barton occasionally compromises his balance by lunging into blocks in the run game, which leads to him getting beat. The Tennessee native faces several physical limitations that will almost certainly force him to kick inside at the NFL level. Barton has subpar arm length, which creates potential mismatches in favor of the defense. He isn’t an explosive or twitchy athlete. This impacts his footspeed, lateral agility, and ability to carry rushers up the arc. Barton is on the lighter side for a tackle. Bull rushes will walk him back into the quarterback, and he struggles to re-anchor when defenders get into his chest. These challenges cause Barton to work extra hard to match his opponent’s power, which messes with his balance and makes him vulnerable to slipping off blocks. Boston College’s (2022) longer-armed defenders beat Barton several times, including a nasty rep where Donovan Ezeiruaku instantly toppled the Duke tackle.
Overall, Barton’s attention to detail and technical foundation are pro-ready, but physical limitations will necessitate a position change once he enters the NFL. The role teams project Barton into could have a significant impact on his draft stock. Some teams will likely teach him to play guard, while others will shift him back to center since he already has experience in the role.
Role & Scheme Fit: Scheme versatile left guard or center and emergency tackle
Round Projection: Late Second to Early Third
Size: 6'5", 306 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 07-14-23