Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images What constitutes a good rookie year for Tampa’s newest offensive lineman? In last month’s NFL Draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted an offensive lineman with their first round pick. Graham Barton, a position-versatile lineman out of the University of Duke, was the selection. Barton was immediately projected as a day one starter at the center position. Tampa Bay fans have clamored for improvement along the interior of the team’s offensive line since the departure of Alex Cappa, retirement of Ali Marpet, and loss of Ryan Jensen. For any team, the expectation of a first round draft pick is— This player is going to come in and have a significant impact on our team. For positions across the offensive line, the impact of any one player is typically more difficult to measure than that of a skill position player— Where a litany of stats are recorded and can be used as measurements of success. A team’s five starting offensive linemen are very intertwined, they usually succeed (or fail) as a unit. The good thing that Barton has working for him is he is stepping into a fairly talented group that has some high-level players. Following the emergence of Luke Goedeke last season, the Bucs would appear to have their two bookend tackles in place— With Tristan Wirfs registering himself as one of the best in the league. At the guard position, the Buccaneers have a bit of an unknown on the left side, last year’s starter is currently on the New York Giants’ payroll. Tampa addressed right guard during the draft, prior to last season, and the decision paid off. Cody Mauch’s 2024 season should show the continued growth he displayed during his 2023 campaign. At center, the Bucs now have Graham Barton. During the draft process, Barton’s physical play style was praised. Graham Barton is a certified beast. I honestly have no clue how he made it to 26. This was the easiest pick of Jason Licht’s career next to Mike Evans. Had to trade up a spot for Wirfs. Every Bucs fan should be ecstatic. Potential perennial All-Pro at G/C. pic.twitter.com/eJyauu2TQ2— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) April 26, 2024 The expectations for Barton, as a prospect, combined with the position he will be playing can lay out some clear goals for the rookie. Objective number one for Barton is clear, simple, and uniform for most players drafted in the early rounds of the draft— Start. In order for Barton’s season to be a success he must play. Starting is the first step to making an impact as a rookie. Beyond being on the field, Barton must play well. The subject of what “well” is for an offensive lineman doubles back to a general lack of stats recorded for measuring offensive line play, but these are the things casual fans will hope to see that can be credited to his addition. Protecting Baker Mayfield 
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have what they believe to be a franchise quarterback. When team’s get a guy under center who they view as the guy, he must be protected at all costs. Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surrendered 40 sacks and there were countless additional moments where Mayfield was able to evade pressure and create a positive play. In 2024, fans will look to see that number decrease. Premium pass protection is often attributed to a team’s tackles. In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers employ a ‘small’ quarterback (at least by NFL standards). Baker Mayfield’s stature is highly relevant when discussing Barton’s performance because smaller passers put more of an emphasis on the interior of an offensive line. Providing Mayfield with clear lanes of vision to deliver the football will be a large portion of Barton’s task this season. Bucs’ fans saw first hand with the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees how impactful a reliable interior offensive line can be for a shorter quarterback. Brees spent years standing on his tippy-toes and sliding up in the pocket because his interior linemen were able to clear defenders out of his way. Help Tampa Bay find a run game 
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images For two consecutive years the Buccaneers have finished the season ranked last in rush yards per game. In that time span, Tampa Bay has had proven players and young talent in the running back room, at no point have they been able to overcome the play of Tampa’s offensive front. For Graham Barton, keeping pass rushers out of Baker Mayfield’s face will be a colossal part of his rookie responsibilities, however, the way he might be able to help Mayfield the most would be giving him something Tampa Bay has lacked since Doug Martin— a 1,000-yard rusher. The Buccaneers haven’t had a player post a thousand-yard rushing season since 2015. If Rachaad White has a breakout style season where he eclipses 1,000 yards rushing, Barton will deserve thanks. Evaluating linemen is never as simple as looking up how many catches, tackles, or big plays an individual made. Oftentimes, it involves comparing what the other players around them were able to accomplish thanks to their presence, comparable to what they were able to do prior to their arrival. For Graham Barton, the Buccaneers offensive line will be returning three of its five starters from a year ago, the same quarterback will be under center, the same running back will be in the backfield, and the same two receivers will be starting on the outside. These lack of changes should give Tampa Bay fans a true indication of Barton’s impact on the offense. For more Bucs coverage check us out here: @Will_Walsh_NFL(X) @Bucs_Nation(X) @Will_Walsh_NFL(YouTube) https://www.bucsnation.com/2024/5/20/24 ... buccaneers
