For much of the offseason, pundits have billed Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier as likely draft targets at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But SI.com’s All Steelers’ Noah Strackbein threw a third name on the list of center possibilities for Pittsburgh — Duke’s Graham Barton.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith attended Barton’s pro day on March 28. Strackbein argued that his pro day performance appeared to lock Barton into being a first-round pick.
“Don’t sleep on the possibility of Barton being the team’s first round pick,” wrote Strackbein. “And if he’s there at No. 20, no matter who else is on the board, he could be their selection.”
Barton posted impressive marks with a 4.94 40-yard dash time and a 4.54 20-yard shuttle time at his pro day.
He started 39 games during his college career. Barton made the All-American team and first-team All-ACC each twice in college.
At Duke, he mostly played left tackle, but Barton is expected to switch to center in the NFL. He played center for Duke during his freshman season in 2020.
“Reviewing Barton’s tape is a pleasurable experience in offensive line evaluation, as his tenacity and know-how are on full display throughout,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “Though he played at a high level at left tackle, center will likely be his NFL home.
“Barton’s technique, toughness and athleticism are exactly what teams will be looking for from an early starter with Pro Bowl potential.”
How Duke’s Graham Barton Could Be Steelers’ First-Round Pick
The Steelers have a pretty big hole in the middle of their offensive line. They released incumbent center Mason Cole on February 23 and have yet to add any new center to the roster.
At the annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida, Steelers general manager Omar Khan stressed that the team is open to any kind of addition at center. That means the Steelers could still add a center before the end of April through free agency or in a trade.
But the most likely scenario appears to be Pittsburgh drafting a center in the first round. At the very least, unless the team makes an addition at center, the Steelers must add a starting capable center in either the first or second round of the 2024 draft.
Barton emerging as a starting caliber center gives the Steelers another draft option besides Powers-Johnson and Frazier.
The Pro Football Focus consensus draft rankings don’t have Barton, Powers-Johnson, or Frazier ranked as a top 20 prospect in the 2024 class. The Steelers hold the No. 20 overall pick in the first round.
But PFF rated all three offensive linemen as a top 32 selection. Therefore, it’s possible all three of those centers are gone before the Steelers pick again at No. 51.
Perhaps trading back for more draft capital but staying in the first round could work. That strategy will undoubtably depend on how the Steelers rate the three top centers in the class.
But while all three could be first-round picks, there’s no guarantee any of them are drafted in the first round. According to ESPN’s consensus draft rankings, Barton is the top center in the class as the No. 32 overall prospect.
ESPN also has Powers-Johnson and Frazier rated at No. 47 and 67 overall, respectively.
Other Center Options for Steelers
While Barton, Powers-Johnson and Frazier are regarded as the best centers in the 2024 class, it’s not necessarily boom or bust with those three prospects. The Steelers have also been linked to Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran this offseason.
PFF and ESPN have Van Pran ranked as a third-round prospect.
There are also a couple free agent center options still remaining for the Steelers. Most notably, Miami Dolphins interior offensive lineman Connor Williams is still available.
PFF’s Brad Spielberger called the Steelers the best landing spot for Williams on March 28.
There are no obvious trade targets at center, but with Khan’s trade history, that route can’t be ruled out either.
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‘Don’t Sleep’ on New First-Round Possibility for Steelers