The 2024 NFL Draft was one of the more momentous drafts in recent memory for several teams. The quarterbacks at the top were expected to be franchise-altering, and the depth at other positions was going to allow more starters to be found throughout the roster.
CBS Sports’ draft analyst Ryan Wilson decided that after Week 12 of the 2025 season was a good time to go back and re-grade the selections from that class. For the Bucs, their draft was expected to set the tone for the team’s quick turnaround to make a playoff run, starting with center Graham Barton.
Wilson writes on Barton, saying, “Barton, who played left tackle at Duke, was the Bucs’ starting center as a rookie and allowed just two sacks all season, which tied for fourth among all NFL centers. So far in 2025, he showed his versatility, kicking back out to left tackle for the injured Tristan Wirfs (in Weeks 1-3) before returning to center.”
Wilson gave Barton a grade of a B+ and is one of the higher graded picks in the first round. Barton has cemented himself as a future of their offensive line between Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke. Add it to the growing list of draft hits for general manager Jason Licht.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: CBS Sports gives Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft a new grade
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
