Graham Barton is an American professional football center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Graham Barton played college football for the Duke Blue Devils, earning all-conference honors in 2022 and 2023 and All-American honors in the latter year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Graham Barton in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Graham Barton Bio
Graham Barton was born on June 1, 2002, in Brentwood, Tennessee. Graham Barton attended Ravenwood High School in Brentwood before continuing his football career at Duke University. Graham Barton is recognized as one of the rising interior offensive linemen in the NFL.
Graham Barton grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee, where Graham Barton attended Ravenwood High School and established himself as one of the state top offensive line prospects. During his senior year, Graham Barton earned a three-star rating from the 247Sports rankings and was listed as the No. 14 offensive guard in the 2020 class, as well as the No. 10 prospect in the state of Tennessee. Graham Barton received offers from several major programs before committing to play college football at Duke University over offers from Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
Path to Professional Football
Graham Barton joined the Duke Blue Devils football program in 2020 as a highly regarded offensive line recruit. Graham Barton quickly earned playing time during his freshman season after both the first and second string centers suffered season-ending injuries, forcing Graham Barton into action earlier than anticipated. Graham Barton started the final five games of that freshman season and was named a second team Freshman All-America by The Athletic.
Graham Barton transitioned to left tackle entering his sophomore season and was named the starting left tackle for the Blue Devils. Graham Barton continued to develop as a foundational piece of the Duke offensive line, earning first team All Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a junior in 2022. Graham Barton added a second consecutive first team All-ACC nod as a senior in 2023 alongside a Second-team All-American selection, establishing Graham Barton as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Duke program history. Graham Barton declared for the NFL draft following his senior season.
Graham Barton Career
College Career at Duke University (2020–2023)
Graham Barton first saw meaningful playing time during his freshman season at Duke after injuries depleted the center depth chart. Graham Barton started the final five games of the 2020 season and earned second team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic. Graham Barton transitioned to left tackle the following season and established himself as a reliable bookend on the Blue Devils offensive line.
Graham Barton was named first team All-ACC as a junior in 2022 and repeated that honor as a senior in 2023. Graham Barton also earned Second-team All-American recognition in 2023, rounding out one of the most accomplished careers by a Duke offensive lineman in recent years. Graham Barton declared for the NFL draft following his senior campaign.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024–Present)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Graham Barton in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. Graham Barton was the first center drafted in the 2024 NFL draft and was the seventh offensive lineman selected overall. On June 23, 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Graham Barton to a four year contract worth $14.02 million that is fully guaranteed at signing and includes a signing bonus of $7.02 million.
Throughout training camp, Graham Barton competed to earn the starting center role against fourth year veteran Robert Hainsey, who had started the position the previous season. Head coach Todd Bowles ultimately named Graham Barton the starting center to begin the 2024 regular season, marking a significant milestone in Graham Barton NFL debut. Graham Barton became the first Buccaneers rookie center in franchise history to start every game in a debut season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Graham Barton is a 6 foot 5 inch, 314 pound offensive lineman who brings the technique and football intelligence expected of a high draft pick at the center position. Graham Barton is skilled at snapping, blocking, and reading defensive fronts, and Graham Barton is capable of quickly identifying blitzes and calling protections at the line of scrimmage. Graham Barton experience playing left tackle at Duke gives Graham Barton valuable versatility that has proven useful on the Buccaneers offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Graham Barton made NFL history as the first center drafted in the 2024 NFL draft. Graham Barton became the first Buccaneers rookie center to start every game in a debut season, snapping to quarterback Baker Mayfield as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the playoffs. Graham Barton finished Graham Barton rookie season with 33 games played and 33 starts, demonstrating the kind of durability and reliability that made the Buccaneers select Graham Barton in the first round.
Graham Barton Career Highlights
Duke Blue Devils Career
Graham Barton earned second team Freshman All-America honors following Graham Barton freshman season at Duke. Graham Barton was named first team All-ACC in both 2022 and 2023 and earned Second-team All-American honors in 2023. Graham Barton left Duke as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in program history and the first center taken in the 2024 NFL draft.
NFL Career
Graham Barton was selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Graham Barton started every game at center as a rookie and finished the season with 33 games played and 33 starts as the Buccaneers made the playoffs.
Graham Barton Family
Family Background
Graham Barton was born to parents Philip Barton and Heather Barton and has one sibling, Anna Barton. Graham Barton was raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, and attended Ravenwood High School before moving on to Duke University. Graham Barton has not publicly shared details about Graham Barton personal life beyond what is documented in professional bios and interviews.
2025 Season Performance
Graham Barton enters the 2025 season as the established starting center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with one full season of NFL experience. Graham Barton is poised to build on Graham Barton strong rookie campaign and continue developing as a core piece of the Buccaneers offensive line. Head coach Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers coaching staff have high expectations for Graham Barton second year, and Graham Barton physical traits and football intelligence position Graham Barton for continued growth in 2025.