Duke’s Graham Barton Doesn’t Grade out as a First-Rounder

Duke left tackle (LT) Graham Barton popped onto my scouting radar when I saw CBS projecting him to go No. 17 overall in the first-round to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While Barton is athletic, super-aggressive, fast on feet in space, and consistently gives a high effort, he’s not an elite-level offensive tackle in this three-game study from 2022.

In fact, he may even be a better fit at guard at the next level. Either that, or he may be one of these ideal “swing offensive linemen,” who starts at guard in the NFL, but can also swing out to play LT in a pinch.

Painting the picture in pass protection

Barton flashes a fast first kick step getting set up in the shallow depth of the pocket and he maintains a nice wide base for the most part.

He has a very average anchor (ability to stop bull rushers) who take him on straight up trying to drive him into the quarterback. While he shows the ability to eventually hunker down in these situations, it’s not after giving up some ground even at the college level.

This is also a concern when pass rushers get physical with him at the back door of the pocket, which tends to get him turned and he begins to open the door. Due to the awesome effort he gives and his extreme competitiveness he still was able to mostly get the job done. However, it’s a concern especially when considering ratcheting up the competition level to the NFL.

Something that really stood out against Georgia Tech and Boston College was just how vulnerable his outside and inside gaps were to blitz attempts. Both these teams found something to exploit in Barton’s gaps.

Barton is not consistently graceful enough on his feet – – or have a strong enough anchor to be considered as a first-round pass blocker.

Violent and tenacious run blocker

This is where he excels and where he really gets after it.

Barton run blocks like he means it often pancaking defenders whenever possible. The issue is he has a tendency to really get out of control. He delivers devastating initial hits but has a tough time often sustaining those blocks unless he has positional leverage to turn defenders inside or outside.

Wow, can he pull and hammer linebackers in the hole. He is also fast-looking running downfield (for an offensive lineman). He would have been ideal on the 49ers teams back in the 1980s.

Perfect developmental type of pick

While he’s being hyped in the first-round, he’s a developmental-type prospect on my board. If he was still there later on, it would be ideal, but only where it made sense. He’s the type of player who moves the meter and plays like football is important to him.

Barton is going to have to learn how to keep his feet sliding toward the back door of the pocket while keeping more separation from pass rushers and not allowing them to get all of their weight into him, which causes him to lose control.

He is also going to have to learn how to sustain run blocks a lot better to complement his aggression level.

#62 Graham Barton 6-foot-5, 314 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 28.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 5, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Georiga Tech, Kansas, and Boston College (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: Gave up 8 quarterback hurries, no quarterback hits, and 2 sacks (nfldraftbuzz.com)

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic and flexible mauler who gives it everything he has to give. In pass protection showed he can slide out, but can struggle to control at the backdoor of the pocket. Gets hands high into pad level initially with his long and strong arms. Handles “X” stunts well. As a run blocker, it’s personal as he tries to demolish defenders. Moves around well. Gets to the second-level with ease. Best at initially clearing lanes, but struggles the longer he has to maintain it.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Does he do a better job walling off the perimeter and keeping his feet moving in pass protection?

2. Does he keep pass rushers from getting into his body at the back door of the pocket?

3. Are blitzing defenders exploiting his gaps?

4. Controlling run blocks until the whistle blows?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.