Scouting Report: Graham Barton (IOL) - Duke
Sales Pitch: "Athletic lineman with the versatility to play up and down the line. Lacks the length to stick at LT in the NFL but possesses a well rounded game with plus quickness and strength that should make him a quality starter at any of the three IOL spots."
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 5 3/8”
Weight: 313 lbs
Arm Length: 32 7/8”
Hand Size: 9 3/8”
40 Yard Dash: 4.95
10 Yard Split: 1.68
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
Short Shuttle: 4.55
3-Cone: 7.31
Age: 21
Relative Athletic Score: 9.99 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 10 SK - 8 HIT - 32 HUR - 50 PR - 97.7 EFF - 21 PEN
2023: 2 SK - 0 HIT - 9 HUR - 11 PR - 97.2 EFF - 6 PEN
Strengths
Big powerful frame
Smooth mover with the quickness to get out and block in space
39 starts before his 22nd birthday
Aggressive blocker who looks for work and finishes reps
Strong hands that are difficult to disengage from
Power to create push in the run game
Smoothly climbs to the second level in run gam
Good body positioning to seal of defenders and give backs a clear lane
Patient hands in pass pro
Good pad level allows him to hold his ground vs bull rushes
Flexible core to absorb contact and protect the pocket
Weaknesses
Below average arm length
Hands can attach too wide in the run game
Fails to control reps versus longer defenders due to length limitations
Struggles to mirror alone on an island in space
College OT who will need to slide inside at the next level
Summary
Graham Barton is an athletic offensive lineman with alignment and scheme versatility. The former 3-Star from Tennessee was a 39 game starter for the Blue Devils at both LT and C, being awarded All-American honors in both 2022 and 2023. Barton is a fantastic athlete with the speed and quickness to get out in space as a blocker. He has a quick first step that allows him quickly cover ground and seal off defenders both in space and at the second level. Barton is a very smart player, he understands when he cannot win a block as intended and will work to position his body to give ball carriers a clean path. When he is on the backside of zone runs and he cannot cleanly reach a player he will use his power to wash down his mark and open up a massive cutback lane. Barton is a plus blocker on gap scheme runs as well. He has good size and weight for an offensive lineman, showing excellent power in his hands and lower half. He consistently creates displacement on base and down blocks at the point of attack. His athletic ability also shows up when asked to pull or combo block to the 2nd level. Barton is a solid pass protector as well. He has patient hands, rarely over committing and getting off balance. He has good foot quickness to mirror speed rushers and the anchor to take on power rushers. A majority of Barton’s pressures allowed in college came versus longer defenders. He has shorter arms (32 7/8”) and struggles to get first contact in pass sets. Defenders with plus length are able to take control of reps and neutralize his natural strength. Barton also struggles to redirect and mirror quicker players when left on an island. His lack of length and redirect speed is a big reason many feel his future home is on the inside at the NFL level. Barton projects as immediate starter on the interior, at either guard or center, with the flexibility to play tackle in a pinch. He has the size and quickness to play in a variety of schemes. Barton’s blend of experience, physical tools and versatility make him one of the highest floor players in the draft and a likely candidate to go in the first round.