Name: Graham Barton
Position: Offensive line
School: Duke
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 313
40-yard dash: Did not run
Bench: Did not jump
Vertical: Did not jump
Broad: Did not jump
3-cone: Did not run
20-yard shuttle: Did not run
View photos of NFL prospect Graham Barton.
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) blocks Virginia defensive end Chico Bennett Jr. (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) in action during the first half of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game against UCF, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) blocks against Florida State defensive lineman Byron Turner Jr. (54) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) on the sidelines during their 41-7 victory over UConn an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Hartford, Conn.(AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) sets up to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut defensive back Lee Molette III (21) and Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) greet each other following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Hartford, Conn.(AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Duke's Jaquez Moore (9) celebrates with Graham Barton (62) after scoring a touchdown against Lafayette during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
How he fits: Barton just might be the most versatile offensive lineman in this draft. With teams having to make some hard decisions with gameday roster restrictions his kind of versatility can be a real commodity for a team.
He played center at Duke during his freshman season and kicked out to left tackle the last three seasons. He projects to be an athletic interior lineman in the NFL with the ability to bounce out and hold his own at tackle if needed. There's real value in a player like Barton.
The Lions recently signed Pro Bowl veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year contract that looks to have filled the one open starting guard spot left by the departure of Jonah Jackson who signed a big deal with the Los Angeles Rams, but adding competition and youth along the offensive line is never a bad thing.
Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal will be in the mix for rotational roles, but there's certainly a chance that when the Lions select at No. 29 at the end of the first round one of the better interior offensive linemen, like Barton, could be available and potentially the top player on Brad Holmes' board. That's a terrific value spot to take one of the best interior linemen in the draft who can ramp up the competition for a starting role and potentially be the center of the future when Frank Ragnow is done playing. Duke has their Pro Day March 28 and Barton is expected to test and do on-field workouts in front of NFL personnel there.
Key observations: Barton allowed only two sacks and 11 total pressures at left tackle for Duke in 2023. He gave up only 41 total pressures over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps over the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus.
What they had to say about him: "Barton originally began his career with the Blue Devils as a center but has been a starter at offensive tackle over the past two seasons. I see him ending up back at center in the NFL, where he has the potential to be a Day 1 starter because of his awareness.
"He's a tough and gritty blocker who plays through the whistle. As a run-blocker, Barton is excellent with rolling his hips and running his feet on contact. His flaws are exposed when facing longer defenders, as he struggles with counter moves and re-adjusting his hands to gain winning positions." - ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid.
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2024 free agency.
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 18, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 18, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader signing his contract with Detroit Lions Senior Director of Football Administration Brandon Sosna at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader speaking to Detroit Lions Assistant General Manager Ray Agnew at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader speaking to Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader speaking to Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader being interviewed by Detroit Lions Team Reporter Dannie Rogers at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Marcus Davenport during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson meeting with Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn before signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson with Detroit Lions Assistant Defensive Coach Jim O'Neil at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during his visit at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson with Detroit Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Josh Schuler and Detroit Lions Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Corey Smith during his visit at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson with Detroit Lions Equipment Manager Tim O'Neill during his visit at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during his visit at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) with Detroit Lions Director of Football Compliance/Lead Football Counsel Jon Dykema signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 14, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) talking to Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) signing his contract extension at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on February 27, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) and his family signing his contract extension at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on February 27, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) and his family signing his contract extension at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on February 27, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
How he stacks up: Barton is the No. 27 overall player on NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's latest Top 50 prospects ranking.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic also lists Barton as his No. 27 prospect. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. lists Barton as the No. 1 center available in the class, ahead of Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia's Zach Frazier. Reid has Barton as his No. 26 overall prospect in the Draft one spot behind Powers-Johnson. ESPN Insider Field Yates list Barton as his No. 36 overall prospect.
What he had to say: "I played center my true freshman year and then moved out to tackle my last three years. I think I just appreciated every position for what it was," Barton told NBC at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
"Every position is slightly different. The concepts and principles are the same. Just enjoyed being able to move around and show that I had that kind of versatility and look to translate that to the NFL."
