BREAKING NEWS: Barton signs his first NFL deal with the Bucs.
Following Thursday morning’s final practice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offseason program, Graham Barton went upstairs to the AdventHealth Center to finalize some business.
Now that Barton has inked his first NFL contract, the Buccaneers have committed to all four of their 2024 draft selections. While they do not need to sign a contract to work throughout the offseason, they must do so in order to report to training camp in late July.
Barton signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth season, which is typical for players chosen in the first round of the draft. Before the players’ fourth season, teams must determine whether or not to exercise that option during the offseason.
Barton trailed outside linebacker Chris Braswell, a second-round selection who inked a rookie contract on Wednesday. Third-round safety Tykee Smith, third-round wide receiver Jalen McMillan, fourth-round running back Bucky Irving, sixth-round guard Elijah Jenkins, and seventh-round tight end Devin Culp were all previously signed by the Bucs.
Barton was chosen by Tampa Bay with the 26th pick in the first round of the April draft. Despite spending his last three seasons at Duke playing left tackle, the Bucs plan to use him at center and anticipate him to challenge for the starting position in Week One. During the team’s three-day minicamp, Barton participated heavily in offensive line drills with the starting lineup, but he is aware that he won’t be thrust into the starting position.
He remarked, “I still have to earn it.” “You have to prove that you belong and earn it every day, at least in my opinion. That’s what I want to accomplish, obviously. Like everyone else, I’m here to contribute. My approach is to simply bring it every day.
[And] accept my position. Simply turning up each and every day and earning it; never procrastinating or declaring that you “got it.”
After finishing their minicamp on Thursday, the Buccaneers will take almost six weeks off before training camp begins.
