Jimmy Graham to switch to Seattle Seahawks from New Orleans Saints
Wednesday 11 March 2015 00:53, UK
The New Orleans Saints have agreed to trade tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle Seahawks for multiple draft picks and centre Max Unger, according to reports.
Seattle are set to secure the services of Graham, one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, and are believed to have offered a variety of picks, including at least one future first-rounder.
The 28-year-old, who was Drew Brees' top receiver in New Orleans, racked up 4,752 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns after he was introduced to the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2010.
Last season Graham had 889 receiving yards for 10 touchdowns as the Saints struggled to a 7-9 record in the NFC South.
He struggled with a shoulder injury during the campaign, preventing him from reaching his usual high standards as a target, but confirmed in January that he would not require surgery.
His departure comes after he signed a five-year, $40m contract extension last July, making him the best-paid tight end in the league.
But Graham's time in New Orleans was not always happy as he questioned the decision to label him as a tight end after he was franchise tagged in 2014.
The franchise tag for tight ends is worth a lot less than a wide receiver tag. Graham felt he should have been classed as a wideout because of his receiving talents and touchdown haul, with dispute going to the NFL's salary arbitration panel, who voted in favour of the Saints' ownership.
