It took two years, but it looks like the Bucs have their starting center after losing Ryan Jensen to a career-ending injury in training camp two years ago.
With the 26th selection in the first round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Graham Barton of Duke, rated the top center in the draft on many draft boards.
Barton played mainly tackle at Duke but did play six games at center and could play all positions along the offensive line.
With the Bucs drafting Barton, Robert Hainsey will be allowed to move back to guard, which is his natural position.
Without a dominant presence at center, the Bucs’ running game suffered as they finished last in the NFL in the last two years of running the ball.
Graham Barton Will Be The Starting Center For The Buccaneers This Season
Barton spoke with the Tampa media and thinks center or guard will be where he eventually ends up. “I think center or guard is probably where I’m going to be originally, and then kind of see where I best fit and what they need the most and what works best for me. I’ve been working on it all spring. I’ve been snapping for the last couple of months and I feel pretty good, I feel confident. I’m ready to get in.”
Todd Bowles is happy that Barton is a Buccaneer. “He fits the prototype of what we’re looking for: big, fast, and strong. We’ve got a lot more beef in the middle where we can beef up and kind of keep people off the quarterback from coming up the gut. He’s a guy we sought highly coming into the draft, and he kind of came to us, so we were ecstatic to have him.”
With the signing of Baker Mayfield and the need for a fix in the run game, Jason Licht and Todd Bowles agreed that the Bucs needed more beef in the middle of the line to protect the quarterback and help the run game.
Bucs Get An Edge Rusher In The Second Round
In the second round, the Buccaneers found their edge rusher and replacement for Shaquill Barrett in Chris Braswell from Alabama.
Despite starting just two games in his final season, Braswell had 42 tackles, including 10-1/2 for loss. He had eight sacks and three forced fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also led the SEC off the bench with 56 quarterback pressures.
The Bucs will pair Braswell with YaYa Diaby, who had an impressive rookie campaign. This will likely be the last season in Tampa for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, as the Buccaneers will not pick up his fifth-year option.
NFL Network draft analyst David Jeremiah had high praise for Braswell. “He’s the best available edge rusher that was still on the board. First-step quickness at the point of attack. He plays very physical. The effort is outstanding. You don’t get on the field at Alabama unless you play extremely hard.”
Braswell believes he is a three-tool player who can impact the run game, rush the quarterback, and drop into coverage. “I love to take pride in my pass rush game. I love to get after the quarterback. But overall, I’m a balanced player. I can play the run, rush the passer drop into coverage and do a lot of things. So, I hope I can bring that to the Bucs.”
The Bucs are expecting Braswell to make a quick impact and start immediately opposite YaYa Diaby at outside linebacker.