Graham Barton has always had that Buccaneers DNA that general manager Jason Licht looks for in his draft picks.

All throughout the pre-draft process in 2024, it felt like Barton and Tampa Bay were a match, and Licht did, indeed, make him the Bucs’ No. 26 overall selection with the idea of transitioning the collegiate left tackle at center in the NFL. Barton, even if he never became a Pro Bowl-caliber player for Tampa Bay, represented a “safe” pick with a high floor given his generational athleticism for the position.

But unfortunately for Barton, transitioning from left tackle to center immediately proved to be a challenging endeavor. His rookie season was a mixed bag full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. That Buccaneers offensive line was elite, however, and Barton having to figure out a position he hadn’t played since his freshman season at Duke in 2020 didn’t stop Tampa Bay from fielding one of the best offenses in the league in 2024 under Liam Coen.

The following season is where Barton was expected to take a step forward. The 2025 campaign was a wonky start for Barton, who had to start at left tackle in place of the injured Tristan Wirfs in Weeks 1-3. Barton did a serviceable job for the Bucs before returning to center in Week 4. When he did, he never quite looked comfortable and his play actually looked as if it declined from 2024.

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Of course, it didn’t help that left guard Ben Bredeson and right guard Cody Mauch missed significant time, forcing Barton to play between replacement level linemen such as Luke Haggard, Dan Feeney, and Michael Jordan. It was difficult for Barton, and you couldn’t help but come out of that season questioning if Barton would be a better player at guard, though the Bucs’ brass routinely stated they had no intention of moving him away from center.

Graham Barton Is A Weapon For The Bucs

Well, it took a little bit, but Barton has finally turned that corner, just as he set out to do before the season began. Barton isn’t a passenger or lost in the shuffle on the Bucs’ offensive line. Rather, Barton is a noticeable impact player on film, and you can’t find many centers playing better than him currently around the NFL. It was particularly encouraging to see Barton start the year off strong by putting up a solid showing against an elite defensive tackle in Dexter Lawrence.

From a pass blocking perspective, Barton ranks fifth among centers with an overall grade of 75.4. But where Barton is really throwing his weight around is in the run game.

Tampa Bay’s run game has caught fire in recent weeks, surpassing 240 yards in both the Week 5 win over the Cowboys and the Week 7 victory over the Panthers. The Bucs followed that up by rushing for a franchise record 324 yards in the Week 8 shutout of the Falcons. Barton has done his part to create openings for both Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell; the tape shows Barton putting together some truly dominant outings.

It started on the first play of the game against Atlanta, a 24-yard run from Irving where Barton showed off his athleticism to get up-field and completely take linebacker Kendal Daniels out of the play.

Later in the game, watch as Barton quickly kicks to his right to help out Mauch before releasing and taking on linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Barton created the hole for Irving, who pushed forward for first down yardage.

In going back the week prior to Carolina, you saw Barton routinely get to the second level to spring Irving and Gainwell for chunk gains. Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo highlighted one example during a Gainwell run late in the second quarter.

Tampa Bay’s offensive line has become a weapon just like it was in 2024. Barton’s emergence is every bit one of the reasons why as he continues to grow in confidence.

Based on his play through eight games in 2026, it’s clear that, after all, there could be a Pro Bowl nod in his future.

“Graham’s always been an extremely smart player. I think a lot of it’s been he wants to make sure he’s doing the right things, but now it’s just confidence,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said earlier this week. “He’s like, ‘OK, I know what this look is, I know how I’m gonna make this work.’ He’s playing with a lot of confidence. [He’s] getting guys on the same page. Obviously, he’s extremely athletic but when you add the smarts into that, he’s ahead of the game.”