A Quick Look at Duke OL Graham Barton
The Steelers hosted Duke OL Graham Barton and NC State LB Payton Wilson for pre-draft visits today, according to multiple sources. With Barton projected to be the first center off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, and that being arguably the biggest hole that needs to be filled for the Steelers, I decided to watch some film in lieu of his visit with the team.
Graham Barton started five games at center as a freshman at Duke, but spent a majority of his time there at left tackle. He earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The elite play and versatility he displayed at Duke should translate well to the NFL, and most NFL analysts expect him to be moved to either guard or center upon entering the league. Needless to say, he has the technique and has shown a propensity to play well all along the offensive line.
Upon watching his film, the thing that immediately jumped out to me was his ability to keep his feet moving during his blocks. This is especially useful when running the ball, because that’s how you open up big holes for your guys, and can be the difference between a two-yard run and a 20-yard run. Having that ability to absorb contact and not get knocked out of place is something he excels at, which is crucial. Even more impressive is his body control; being able to keep his feet moving, but not overcommitting, making him exceptional against counters and inside moves. That makes him a huge asset in pass protection as well. Stutter steps and spin moves just won’t cut it against Barton.
Additionally, his first two steps are extremely quick, allowing him to anchor his feet and get set, often times before defenders are even able to get a step in. Of course, all of that means nothing if your hand placement is poor, which thankfully, his is exceptional. The biggest knock on him has nothing to do with his game or technique, but the length of his arms, which are considered below average. This isn’t something that jumps out to me as problematic on the All-22 tape, but the NFL is a whole ‘nother beast, of course. Nonetheless, his ability to get set and quickly engage defenders, paired with the technique in his hand placement, makes me less concerned about the length of his arms.
One final thing that I was intrigued by in Barton’s film was the fluidity in which he moves, particularly on screens and counter runs. With Arthur Smith coming in as the Steelers’ new OC in 2024, it’s important to consider what he might like to do as a playcaller, and getting the big guys up front moving is a big part of what he likes to do. It’s also worth noting that Arthur Smith was spotted at Duke’s pro day last month.
With all the contradictory reporting going on around the NFL right now, it’s impossible to know what the Steelers are going to do with that number 20 pick on draft day. I don’t even think it’s outside the realm of possibility that the Steelers trade it ON DRAFT DAY in a package with San Francisco for Brandon Aiyuk. Nothing is off the table right now. However, after today’s visits, I think the likelihood of us taking Graham Barton with that pick went way up. It’s worth noting, that in ESPN’s latest mock draft with Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, they have the Steelers taking Barton at 20 (the link is behind an ESPN+ paywall).
LB Payton Wilson is projected to be a day two selection. While his film is allegedly sensational(I haven’t watched it), his injury history, as well as the fact that he was a six-year college player, has caused his draft stock to slide. It’s possible the Steelers will take him in round two at 51 overall.
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