Joel Klatt makes prediction on Green Bay Packers first-round pick
Joel Klatt believes the Green Packers will take an offensive lineman in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Fox Sports college football analyst revealed his mock draft on The Joel Klatt Show and said the Packers will draft Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton.
“He could go to the Packers right there and help continue to solidify the interior of their offensive line,” Klatt said. “I like Graham a lot. I think Graham, who’s got some center in his background and can go back there and play, can play all three interior positions, either guard and center. From that standpoint, I like this pick.”
Barton played for Duke for four seasons and started 39 games. He was selected to the All-ACC First Team in 2022 and 2023 and was named an All-American twice. Graham is also a two-time winner of the program’s Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes that Barton has a chance to be a Pro Bowl offensive lineman. “Barton is an explosive drive blocker with the body control and leg drive to keep opponents centered and finish the job,” he wrote.
“His hands are sudden, accurate and strong in both phases, but a lack of length will create occasional challenges on the next level. His fluidity creates an advantage as a second-level climber, and he’s highly capable in the screen game. Barton’s technique, toughness and athleticism are exactly what teams will be looking for from an early starter with Pro Bowl potential.”
Former Packers OL was a player Graham Barton loved watching
It might be fitting for Barton to be selected to the Pakcers. While appearing on Move the Sticks, Barton said he patterns his game after former Packers Pro Bowl offensive lineman David Bakhtiari.
“Especially younger, going from when I was bouncing out to left tackle, I watched a lot of David Bakhtiari,” Barton said, per AtoZ Sports. “I just think, similar measurables, similar play style. He’s not a guy who wins because he’s 6’8 with 38-inch arms. He’s 6’4, 315, similarly built. He’s a really athletic offensive lineman. You go back and watch, he’s the first one off the snap. He’s going out, he’s matching guys foot to foot. He challenges their angles of their rush. That was someone I watched all my college career, just taking a lot of influence from him, because that was sort of my style.”