Steelers' potential first-round pick throws common draft narrative out of the window
If you don't know who Duke offensive lineman and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Graham Barton is, you should get to know him, especially if you are a fan of the Steelers. One of the more versatile players in the class, there is no secret as to why Barton is a common first-round mock draft pick. […]
If you don't know who Duke offensive lineman and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Graham Barton is, you should get to know him, especially if you are a fan of the Steelers.
One of the more versatile players in the class, there is no secret as to why Barton is a common first-round mock draft pick.
Wanting to learn more about his story and rise in the draft, A to Z Sports had the pleasure of interviewing Barton in an exclusive:
Addressing His "Weaknesses"
As far as weaknesses, that's something you're always looking at, what you can improve on every year. I think sometimes I get overextended. Like I said, I'm athletic all the time. And I think sometimes I tried to get too aggressive and get overextended, get out over my knees a little too much. And that'll throw me off balance or something like that, or cause me to miss blocks that I shouldn't miss.
And then I just think consistency too. It's a big hallmark of offensive line play. And so I always have wanted to improve and take that next big step. Not having your 10 best plays up here and your 10 worst plays down here. So just having like a steady pace of play, doing your assignment, and paying attention to details. Doing the right thing play in and play out and really putting consistent tape together, game after game. And I think as you mature as a player, that's something you really want to strive for. That's something I especially want to strive for going to the next level.
-Graham Barton 2024 NFL Draft Prospect
Other than things he can't change like arm length, when watching Barton's film you see a cerebral player that checks boxes for physicality, football IQ, and high-level traits. But nothing stands out more than his versatility, something Barton was able to speak to:
How Hard Is It To Be Versatile?
Yeah, it's difficult, to be able to play all five [positions on the offensive line] it's not as easy as some people from the outside make it seem. There's different stances, different angles, different alignments, different defensive fronts. So there's, a lot going on. That's why a lot of these teams want to make sure the football IQ is there. I've done a lot of that with teams, a lot of board work, a lot of meetings based on film.
I think I've shown that I can do that. I think I've got good football IQ. I understand the game really well. Just coming from Duke and having really great offensive line coaches and offensive coordinators, I think being able to understand the game and kind of think outside of my assignment has helped. Learning how my assignment may affect the guard or center who may affect the backside receiver or something like that.
So yeah, in the NFL, the personnel there, they're really trying to make sure you understand, have a passion for it, because, that's how you win games in the NFL. Everyone's talented, everyone's skilled. Trying to find small differences since the average margin of victory is small. -Graham Barton, 2024 NFL Draft Prospect
Barton doesn't have the build that many teams covet and or even have set as requirements to play tackle in the NFL, but he will be one hell of an interior lineman based on everything he talked about, with the character and work ethic to make him a decade plus pro with and All-Pro ceiling.
And with no team needing a center more than Pittsburgh, don't be shocked if he's the pick at 20th overall.
