Bucs' first-round C Graham Barton signs contract

Center Graham Barton signed his four-year rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday. The team announced the signing but not the terms for Barton, who was selected with the 26th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Duke. Multiple reports said the fully guaranteed deal is worth approximately $14 million with a $7 million signing bonus. All contracts involving first-round selections include a fifth-year team option. The signing of Barton came one day after second-round outside linebacker Chris Braswell inked his deal for the Bucs. Tampa Bay previously signed all of its other selections from the draft. Barton, 22, played with the first-team offensive line during the Buccaneers' three-day minicamp. "I still have to earn it," he said. "At least in my mind, you've got to earn it every day and you've got to show that you belong. Obviously, that's what I want to do. I'm here to contribute just like everyone else. So my mindset is just to bring it every day (and) embrace my role. Just showing up every day and earning it each and every single day, never sitting there and saying, 'I've got it.'" --Field Level Media