The Bills could be in search of a center for the future
Wide receiver has been all the rage in recent weeks when discussing what the Buffalo Bills will do at pick No. 28. Everyone has a different viewpoint about which receiver Buffalo will draft with their first selection and whether they’ll actually stick at the current draft slot to do so.
Those conversations don’t consider the depth of the class into the second round, and they surely do not consider if the right player will be there when the team selects (wherever they do). It’s become too much of a foregone conclusion that the receiver spot is the slam dunk, no-doubt pick with no regards for other needs matching value.
A spot that still should be garnering first-round consideration based on where the value may be is on the offensive line. This is a very good offensive line class with depth you almost never see within a single class.
More specifically, the team has a potential future need on the interior of the offensive line with a rather large reshuffling occurring. That started with the franchise choosing to move on from long-time starting center Mitch Morse and critical depth with the trading away of Ryan Bates.
As of now, one of David Edwards or La’El Collins is set to be the left guard with Connor McGovern sliding to center. If it were up to general manager Brandon Beane, I’m sure he’d love to have Edwards and Collins as quality depth for this year with McGovern being able to stay put at left guard, where he performed admirably well.
One of the players estimated to be a first-round selection with center traits is Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton. He has very little experience as a center in college, but the lack of length with a profile of excellent strength and athleticism to boot points him in the direction of slotting in at center with versatility to play guard. But many are considering him as a center first and foremost, which matches a potential need.
Barton could be a fit for the Bills at pick No. 28 if he were to be available, but we need to know about his game ahead of time if he were the selection. With that in mind: Game film for Barton was analyzed from 2023 in matchups against Clemson and NC State to conduct this scouting report.
Graham Barton Scouting Report
Graham Barton is an interior offensive line prospect who has started games each of the past four seasons for Duke — where he became one of the best offensive lineman in the country. Barton started each of the last three seasons at left tackle for the Blue Devils where he anchored one of the most successful stretches in Duke program history. He was an All-American in 2023 despite missing several games due to injury.
Pro Day Testing
- 6’5”, 313 pounds
- 4.95 40-yard dash
- 4.55 Short Shuttle
- 7.31 Three-Cone
Positives
- Grip strength stands out immediately; he’s immovable
- Nasty streak to displace and put defenders on the ground in a hurry
- Natural glider from side to side shows off athleticism
- Smooth mover as a puller where he can ID his second level target and displace
- Does well to latch onto his target; Rarely ever falls off his block even if he’s not in favorable position
- Feet move in unison with him, which allows him to have great contact balance
Negatives
- Hand placement can get all over the place with hands reaching outer lengths of opponent frame
- Bear hugs and grabs, which can falter a rep when he’s faced with speed
- Drops his head at times, which causes major whiffs in pass pro and (at times) a puller
- No experience at guard in his career; has not played center since his freshman year
- Slim body type throughout frame; will have to prove anchor in the interior can carry against NFL talent
It's not hard to fall in love with Graham Barton's playing style... He battles to the whistle and while his hands get outside the frame too much too often, his tenacity will endear him to teams who want to upgrade their run game. pic.twitter.com/D38A7PHLPU
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) April 6, 2024
Why Graham Barton Fits the Buffalo Bills
Barton is a scheme-versatile fit and will also have versatility across the interior of the offensive line because of his combination of natural strength and athleticism. The Bills could be looking for their center of the future with Mitch Morse moving on — despite reporting that the team had plans to move McGovern over to that spot.
The team has shifted to players with a nasty streak in some ways, beginning with the selection of starting right guard O’Cyrus Torrence in 2023. Barton would, once again, fit that mold of player if the Bills were to pick him.
Wide receiver is a hot topic conversation but need doesn’t always fit value in the draft. If receivers go off the board in the early 20s, Barton could wiggle himself free late for the organization to swoop in and find a tone setter for the future. Barton is someone who will make plenty of opponents angry in his career, and he’s most definitely someone you want on your side heading into game day.
A mix of Barton, Torrence, and most recently extended left tackle Dion Dawkins would be tied to the team for years to come.