3 NFL Draft prospects Ravens could select to make Lamar Jackson's life easier
By Mike Luciano
2. Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
The Ravens have been projected to take an offensive lineman quite frequently in this draft, with a pure offensive tackle that can either start at right tackle or succeed Ronnie Stanley as the left tackle in the future. Barton may end up beating out everyone else after some comically high testing numbers.
Barton's athletic testing (4.97 40-yard dash, 1.68 10-yard split, 4/31 short shuttle) was so impressive that his Relative Athletic Score ranked No. 3 overall out of 1,500 guard prospects in the last few decades. While he played tackle at Duke, Barton should be able to move between both of those positions.
Graham Barton could be a starter for the Baltimore Ravens
Despite all the hype surrounding Andrew Vorhees, Barton would be a better gamble than a 25-year-old with zero pro snaps and a serious ACL injury in his not-too-distant history. Barton could also shift over to tackle if the situation demands it, given his collegiate experience and relatively light feet as a pass blocker.
The Ravens have to keep adding to their offensive line, as there are just way too many question marks for a team that signed Derrick Henry with the intent of making another run at a Super Bowl. Barton may be a rookie, but his athleticism for the guard position is almost unprecedented, which could mitigate the risk.