Watch: Behind the scenes of Bucs drafting Graham Barton

In the video posted by the Bucs, you can see how fired up Licht and the Buccaneers’ war room was when they knew they were up and Graham Barton was in their sights. It started with the group clapping it up when Green Bay surprised Tampa Bay and drafted Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan one spot ahead at No. 25, thus allowing Barton to slide to the Bucs at No. 26.

“I love it when a plan comes together,” Licht said after the Packers pick.

Head coach Todd Bowles even dropped a, “Wow!” when it was announced that the Green Bay Packers took Morgan at No. 25, one selection before Tampa Bay.

“To be honest with you, the whole time we were crossing our fingers that he would make it to us,” Licht said on draft night.  “And he did, so that’s good. I was saying, ‘Thank you!’ [gestures upwards and looks towards the heavens].

“It’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen late in the first round – or any round – but late in the first round, especially. It just kind of fell the only way it could have [fallen] for us. Now he hasn’t come in here and played one snap yet, so I’m not trying to put his bust in Canton yet. But we’re very happy that we get the guy that we targeted.”

Graham Barton Meets New Teammates

After showing Graham Barton’s conversation with Jason Licht and Todd Bowles over the phone and the celebration with his family back in Tennessee after getting drafted, the video then shows Barton making his way to Tampa Bay. He was greeted with a round of applause when entering the facility by many Bucs employees. Barton then met with Jason Licht, Todd Bowles and the Glazer family in person.

In a surprise – but welcome – cameo, Barton was able to meet two new teammates that he will spend plenty of time with throughout the season in left tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Robert Hainsey. To the shock of no one, Wirfs and Hainsey were working out in the weight room at the time of Barton’s arrival, with Wirfs wearing a shirt that said “Bench Row Records.”

Barton also had the opportunity to meet with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen as the whole group shared a conversation of pleasantries.

“I think we got a really good group,” Wirfs said to Barton. “It’ll be fun.”

Barton also got to hold a Bucs No. 62 jersey with his name on it for the first time, swapping out his blue Duke colors for Bucs red. The remainder of the episode featured a separate conversation between Licht, Bowles and Barton about their general draft strategy when it comes to finding a player, particularly on days two and three when there’s more rounds. They were all waiting in the hallway before having Barton’s introductory press conference.

All in all, it looked like a pretty enjoyable experience for Graham Barton on his first day as a Buccaneer. You can watch the whole 12-minute video on the Buccaneers website or on their YouTube channel.