Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton is among the most versatile and polished prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barton projects as an instant upgrade at virtually any spot across most NFL offensive lines. He's a technically savvy lineman with day-one impact and all-pro potential.
Barton played offensive tackle for the Blue Devils this past campaign, but many NFL scouts believe he'll play guard or center at the next level. Barton possesses arms shorter than 33 inches, which places his length in the 29th percentile according to MockDraftable. At worst, Barton is a multi-positional talent.
Barton can legitimately play five positions. He's a first-round talent and Week 1 starter. We've identified three potential team fits for Barton in the 2024 NFL Draft.
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys appear primed to enter the 2024 NFL Draft with sizable needs at left tackle and center after losing Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz to unrestricted free agency. One possibility includes sliding left guard Tyler Smith to the blindside. It would be familiar territory for Smith, who played that position for Tulsa in college.
That provides the Cowboys with options. They could realistically target a tackle, guard, or center with their No. 24 overall selection in the first round. Barton would slot in excellently at left guard next to Smith as an upgrade over T.J. Bass. He could also become Dallas' starting center considering the inexperienced Brock Hoffman is currently penciled into that role. The Cowboys should identify Barton as a solution at any position.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers are another franchise that is shuffling moving parts around their offensive line. They cut ties with oft-injured left tackle David Bakhtiari earlier this offseason. Bakhtiari hasn't been healthy, but his official departure creates some questions.
Former seventh-round pick Rasheed Walker primarily protected the blindside last season. Walker handled himself appropriately all things considered, but general manager Brian Gutekunst could still consider an upgrade. All-Pro talent Elgton Jenkins has been asked to play multiple positions but finally re-settled back in at left guard in 2023. He should be left alone there.
Last year's starting right guard Jon Runyan Jr. signed a three-year contract worth $30 million with the Giants in free agency. His departure positions former third-round pick Sean Rhyan as a starter. Rhyan struggled in limited action last season. Barton would start in Titletown.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Dolphins are starting to suffer from something all great rosters experience. They can't retain all of their own talent once they reach free agency. Starting guard Robert Hunt signed a bloated five-year, $100 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, for example.
Fielding a quality offensive line is imperative to allowing Mike McDaniel to continue calling his preferred offense. Hunt's departure at left guard requires replacing. An upgrade at right guard would be appreciated as well after Lester Cotton and Robert Jones struggled at the position a season ago. Both Cotton and Jones remain under contract, but they’re best suited to play swing backup roles. Barton would start at either guard position for the Dolphins next season.
