While there are some concerns about the Bucs heading into this season, there should not be any when it comes to what is expected from center Graham Barton. Barton, Tampa Bay’s 2024 first-round pick, will be looking to follow in the footsteps of right tackle Luke Goedeke and right guard Cody Mauch with big second years as starters.

Not only will Barton be looking to substantially improve, but the coaching staff also wants to see him develop into a leader.

Kevin Carberry: Graham Barton’s Mental Toughness Is A “Separator”

The Bucs’ offensive line was the team’s catalyst last season. The play from the front five was a tone-setter and should only get better with the same five starters returning for another year. With the relative youth upfront (left guard Ben Bredeson is the oldest at 27 years old), one can expect each offensive lineman to get even better.

When it comes to Graham Barton, run game coordinator/offensive line coach Kevin Carberry is bullish on his mental makeup leading to him taking another step forward.

Bucs C Graham Barton and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I fully expect Graham to improve and get better, just like he did throughout the course of the season,” Carberry said. “Graham’s mental toughness is off the charts. You need that for any position in the NFL, certainly an offensive line position, and also the center position because the other four guys are counting on you.

“The mental toughness Graham [showed] throughout the season was exactly like we thought it would be and expected. That is an asset for him and a separator for him as a player. Then, physically on the field, he will certainly continue to improve and get better.”

Physically, all the tools are there for Barton to make an impact. His athleticism and ability to move with the team’s running backs has immense value, as does only allowing one sack last year. There are some things to clean up, such as being called for 13 penalties and a costly botched snap at the end of the Bucs playoff loss against the Commanders.

Graham Barton “Knows He Needs To Be A Leader”

Through it all, seeing Graham Barton evolve and grow at the position will be something the Bucs’ coaching staff is eager to see. Offensive line coach Brian Picucci has spent time in the film room with Kevin Carberry and came away impressed with Barton filling in at center during Duke’s 2020 season.

It was not an easy time then, nor was it easy for him to adjust to the position again at the NFL level last season.

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Carbs and I went back and we actually — Carbs will watch a ton of tape,” Picucci said on Tuesday. “We went all the way back to that year, I think it was COVID year where he was center? You got to give him credit for coming in that program, he didn’t even have a spring, came right in and played center there. Obviously, there was a learning curve when he first got here at center.

“We started out during phase one and two and then OTAs, but the guys that helped him out a lot were [Robert] Hainsey. He had someone that played behind him… Graham could fix some things at the line of scrimmage when Hainsey wasn’t in there during the game.”

Now, Hainsey and swing tackle Justin Skule are gone, having left for opportunities to get snaps elsewhere. For being a young offensive line room, both of them offered more a veteran presence and aided Barton and others on learning the tricks of the trade. The center spot is one of the most important, as they are entrusted with handling the line of scrimmage and also for having a tight bond with the quarterback.

Bucs C Graham Barton and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Things got off to a promising start as Barton became a full-time starter and flashed glimpses of reaching a Pro Bowl ceiling, but it is now time to step up.

Not just his play in the middle of the action, but as a leader in the middle of team meetings and in the locker room.

“I think Graham understands,” Picucci said when asked about who will step up after losing Hainsey and Skule. “I think Carbs talked to Graham about this too, he’s going to take on a leadership role. In our pass protection meetings where Graham leaned on Hainsey and Baker a little bit in the protections. He’s already moved up in front of the room next to Ben [Bredeson] and you can see the development and I’m excited to see where he goes. Listen, Graham’s hard on himself so he’s going to end up stepping up this year. He knows he needs to be a leader.”