TAMPA, Fla. – After giving quarterback Baker Mayfield a new contract. extension, Bucs GM Jason Licht said he and head coach Todd Bowles knew they wanted to go after a center who could protect and run block.
“We had (Barton) targeted, to be honest with you the whole time and crossing our fingers that he would make it to us and he did,” Licht said. “He’s got a tenacious playing style and he’s a very good athlete, a very good technician.”
Barton is 6’5, 313 pounds, and was a second-team All-American last season.
So what does this mean for the incumbent at center, Robert Hainsey?
“Our players are very professional and they understand this is a business that we’re always looking for competition, ” Licht said. He (Hainsey) understands he (Barton) hasn’t been given the job. So I think Robert will understand.”
Licht admitted they had several players that they liked at number 26, and if those players were gone, the Bucs would have traded down to pick up additional picks.
Licht said Mayfield called him when the pick was made and told Licht how excited he was.
It’s Licht’s 11th year running the Bucs draft, and he had his best pick in 2014, selecting wide receiver Mike Evans as number 7 overall. Evans is sure to be a Pro Football Hall of Famer and 2020 first-round pick. Now a left tackle but drafted as a right tackle, Tristan Wirfs is on the verge of a huge payday playing on his 5th-year option for this coming season.
Time will tell how Barton will fare.
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