NFL suit: Why not pick Graham Barton in the first round? – JoeBucsFan.com

Bucs rookie center Graham Barton, their first-round pick.

“This Joe” made it pretty clear prior to the draft. Do not draft a guard or center in the first round as these are not premium positions.

As Bill Belicheat pointed out during Pat McAfee’s draft coverage last Thursday, why sit with an expensive fifth-year option on a non-premium position? (Yes, he drafted Logan Mankins in the first round in 2005. That was before fifth-year options for first-round rookie picks became a thing. He also drafted guard Cole Strange in Round 1 (29th overall) in 2022.)

Additionally, only nine centers have entered the first round since 2011, and Barton is only the third this decade.

There’s a nameless NFL suit that thinks Joe is full of BS.

Joe enjoys reading the work of Mike Sando of The Athletic. He always makes sure NFL types speak candidly, albeit off the record. But it’s a good insight.

When typing about the concept. specifically the Bucs, this mysterious front office guy thought Licht made the smart move because the nameless suit thinks Barton is all that.

“If Graham Barton is going to be a starting center for 10 to 12 years, how can you not do that?” said one director. “Was Frank Ragnow a bad pick for the Lions?”

Belicheat’s theory is that instead of putting a guy at center or guard and being stuck with the fifth-year option, you go back to a quality player at center or guard early in the second year. guard and save the money you can spend on a player in year two. a premium position.

Well, first things first. Let’s see what position Barton will play and let’s keep our fingers crossed that he will be playing there for the next ten to twelve years. Then it will definitely be worth it.