There isn’t a much better way to get acclimated to being an offensive lineman in the NFL than having to face Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey in practice on a daily basis. That’s the advantage Graham Barton already has when heading into his first regular season action. He was the Bucs’ top pick for a reason and many believe the Bucs landed a perennial All-Pro caliber player with the 26th pick in the draft.

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As for his first game in the NFL, he knows he’s up against it. The Washington Commanders may be in the process of rebuilding, but that doesn’t mean they’re void of talent. In fact, some of the best talent they have to offer are right there along the defensive line. Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are no pushovers - and behind them is Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, the rookie out of Illinois that fell to them in the second round due to injury. Going up against a player like Vita Vea may have helped get Barton ready, but it’s a whole different ball game when the person across from you is one of the best in the league and actually wants to rip your head off and give you that “welcome to the NFL, rookie” type moment.

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Barton is certainly up to the task and knows the challenge that awaits him on Sunday. When speaking with the media, Barton said;

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“Obviously, we know where they’re talented at. Those two interior d-tackle spots are definitely two really good players. I have a lot of respect for what I’ve seen so far of them on tape, so we’re excited. It’s going to present a unique challenge for us, but I think we’re ready. We’re going to prepare throughout the week and see what we can do on Sunday.”

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Barton is the one tasked with ensuring the Bucs get the protection calls right and to keep Baker Mayfield from having to run for his life like we saw him do on many occasions last season. With Ben Bredeson next to him - an upgrade over the tandem of Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie last season - and second-year guard Cody Mauch looking to take a big step forward, Barton has to set the tone early in the game to not only protect Mayfield, but to use his incredible strength to move a couple of Pro Bowl players out of the way for Rachaad White and Bucky Irving.

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After this week, it’ll be quite a while before Barton has to take on defensive linemen as good as Payne and Allen, but this is what it means to be thrown into the deep end. Barton is either going to swim - and look like a veteran. Or he’s going to sink - and in the process of taking his lumps, learn where he has to get better so that he doesn’t get his quarterback and running backs killed throughout the next four months.

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Welcome to the NFL, rook.

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