Buccaneers rookie Graham Barton says he still has a lot to prove after claiming starting center job

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Graham Barton is eager to prove himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The rookie center claimed a starting job this week and will take snaps with the regulars in a game for the first time when the Bucs and Miami Dolphins conclude their preseason schedules on Friday night.

“They had to name someone, but I still think it’s something where I’m coming in here to prove what I can,” Barton said Wednesday following a joint practice between the intrastate rivals at Tampa Bay’s training facility.

“I had a lot on my plate, mentally and physically. I’m starting to adjust and get a feel for the game and how everything is operating here,” the first-round draft pick out of Duke added. “It’s a work in progress and always will be. ... It’s a role I still have to earn every day.”

Coach Todd Bowles clearly likes what he’s seen so far and is counting on Barton to help solidify an offensive line that has a chance to be the best Tampa Bay’s had since 2020, when the Tom Brady-led Bucs won the Super Bowl.

Barton, who beat out fourth-year pro Robert Hainsey, played 32 snaps with backups over the team’s first two preseason games.

“We knew he was tough. It’s just how fast he picked it up and the experience he’s been getting and the way he’s been finishing plays. His pass protection has picked up a lot,” Bowles said.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the rest of Tampa Bay’s starting offense sat out preseason outings at Cincinnati and Jacksonville the past two weeks.

Barton started five games at center early in his career at Duke, but wound up making 34 of his 39 starts overall in college at left tackle.

“Center is one of the hardest positions to play in sports. … And yeah, he’s still learning. But for him to be able to come in and communicate well and to learn as quickly as he has is impressive, especially since he hadn’t played center in quite a few years,” Mayfield said.

“He’s going to continue to improve with each rep,” Mayfield added. “That’s what we’re excited about.”

Bowles reiterated he hadn’t determined exactly how much the starters will play against the Dolphins.

“It’s not a matter of having success, it’s a matter of playing in a game before we play a real game,” Bowles said.

“The continuity on both sides of the ball, the communication needs to be there, the substitution patterns, everything like that,” the coach added. “I’m really looking for (a) lack of penalties, hopefully, and those things we’re kind of looking for going into the season.”