TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Head coach Todd Bowles officially announced the team’s 2024 first-round draft pick Graham Barton is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new starting center.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield said that position is one of the hardest positions in sports. However, Mayfield is impressed with the 22-year-old Tennessee native.
“For him to be able to come in and communicate well, and to learn as quickly as he has, I think it’s been the most impressive thing, especially since he has not played center in quite a few years,” Mayfield said of his new starting center. “So for him to make that switch and communicate that he’s been able to, just operationally, I think it’s been extremely impressive.”
Starting right tackle Luke Goedeke said the rookie’s intelligence has allowed him to jump into a starting role.
“He’s very smart. He’s a very athletic player as well,” Goedeke said. “He takes pride in his work. He comes to work every day and does all the right things.”
In Barton’s preseason debut, he played 18 snaps without allowing a single pressure.
The Bucs will host the Miami Dolphins for their preseason finale on Friday before kicking off the regular season with a home matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 8.
