The Bucs were among five teams that Pro Football Focus said had the most improved offensive lines following the 2024 NFL Draft.

That’s exactly what general manager Jason Licht wanted to hear, as bolstering the team’s offensive line was a priority heading into this year’s draft.

Tampa Bay joined the likes of Pittsburgh, Dallas, Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers as having the most improved O-line through the draft.

Look no further than the Bucs’ first-round pick, Duke’s Graham Barton, who is projected to replace Robert Hainsey at center, as the main reason for the upgraded O-line. Barton, who was selected with the No. 26 overall pick, started five games at center for the Blue Devils as a freshman before transitioning to left tackle where he became an All-ACC first-teamer and an All-American.

Barton, who can also move inside to guard, is the top-rated center prospect since 1987 based on his RAS (Relative Athletic Score) with a perfect 10 score. He was also the only draft prospect at any position this year to have a perfect 10 score.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles, OL Graham Barton and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about the Bucs’ addition of Barton, the team’s first-round pick, and UTEP guard Elijah Klein, who was Tampa Bay’s sixth-round pick.

The selection of Duke’s Graham Barton in the first round isn’t just a good move because of his excellent college career, during which he earned an 88.7 PFF grade over the past two seasons to rank fifth among FBS tackles. It’s also a good move because of his versatility. Barton played center early in college and will likely play on the interior of the line for the Buccaneers; he is comfortable across the unit.

UTEP’s Elijah Klein, selected in the sixth round, wasn’t on the PFF big board but did earn a 93.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2023.

NFL offensive line guru Brandon Thorn is a big fan of Klein and believes he’s an ideal fit in Tampa Bay where Licht has done a remarkable job of reloading the team’s O-line following the Super Bowl LV season.

The Athletic Also Had High Praise For Bucs Picking Graham Barton In Round 1

Bucs OL Graham Barton – Photo courtesy of Duke

The Athletic’s Mike Sando probed the opinions of unnamed NFL executives about the draft picks of all 32 teams. The analysis of the picks of NFC teams was revealed on Thursday and the Bucs did receive some high praise about selecting Duke’s Graham Barton and moving him to center from the personnel executives that were prompted.

“If Graham Barton is going to be a starting center for 10-12 years, how can you not do it?” an exec said. “Was Frank Ragnow a bad pick for the Lions?”

The Athletic notes that Ragnow, who was the 20th pick in the 2018 draft, has become a quality starter. In fact, Ragnow is a three-time Pro Bowler (2020, 2022, 2023) and a two-time second-team All-Pro (2020, 2023).

The Bucs have had a noticeable drop off in play at the center position with Robert Hainsey over the last two years since he took over for Ryan Jensen. Tampa Bay’s Pro Bowl center suffered what turned out to be a career-ending knee injury after the 2021 season on the second day of training camp.

At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Barton brings size and strength to the center position that Tampa Bay has been missing.

“Barton is a really nice high-floor player,” another exec said. “They’ve done a nice job building that offensive line.”

The Bucs still have a hole at left guard where Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie underwhelmed last year. But Tampa Bay added Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson in free agency and drafted Elijah Klein out of UTEP in the sixth round to vie for the vacancy. Holdovers Brandon Walton and Logan Stenberg could also be in the mix in training camp for the left guard job.