Graham Barton is excited to prove himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie center earned the starting position this week and will play with the regular team for the first time when the Bucs and Miami Dolphins wrap up their preseason games on Friday night.
“They had to name someone, but I still think it’s something where I’m coming in here to prove what I can,” Barton said Wednesday after a joint practice between the two Florida teams at Tampa Bay’s training facility.
“I had a lot on my plate, mentally and physically. I’m starting to adjust and get a feel for the game and how everything is operating here,” the first-round draft pick out of Duke added. “It’s a work in progress and always will be. … It’s a role I still have to earn every day.”
Coach Todd Bowles is impressed with Barton’s progress and is relying on him to strengthen the offensive line, which has the potential to be the best Tampa Bay has had since 2020, when the team won the Super Bowl with Tom Brady.
Barton, who beat out fourth-year pro Robert Hainsey, played 32 snaps with backups in the team’s first two preseason games.
“We knew he was tough. It’s just how fast he picked it up and the experience he’s been getting and the way he’s been finishing plays. His pass protection has picked up a lot,” Bowles said.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the rest of Tampa Bay’s starting offense did not play in the preseason games against Cincinnati and Jacksonville the past two weeks.
Barton started five games at center early in his college career at Duke, but made 34 of his 39 college starts at left tackle.
“Center is one of the hardest positions to play in sports. … And yeah, he’s still learning. But for him to be able to come in and communicate well and to learn as quickly as he has is impressive, especially since he hadn’t played center in quite a few years,” Mayfield said.
