So yeah, this happened today…
If I’m the Seattle Seahawks or Green Bay Packers, I’m willing to sign TE Jimmy Graham to an offer sheet and to give up two 1’s to get him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2014
One NFL personnel exec told me he could envision a team with franchise-type QB pursuing @TheJimmyGraham. Seahawks have need, fit criteria. — Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) March 3, 2014
Jimmy Graham to SEA or NE? Chris Mortensen’s reported they may be interested and it’s clear why: SEA T-27th, NE T-29th in rec by TE in ’13.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 3, 2014
Three Tweets from three different ESPN accounts — all linking Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks.
This trade almost certainly won’t happen.
The final tweet in that trilogy above is the main reason why.
ESPN Stats point out Seattle was tied 28th for tight end production in 2013.
That’s not because they have an incompetent starter who couldn’t catch a gently thrown beach-ball.
It’s because they simply don’t throw to the tight ends that often — by design.
The Seahawks are the the most run-centric team in the NFL. Whether it’s Marshawn Lynch grinding up the middle or Russell Wilson scrambling for a few yards, they’ll continue to run the ball with authority.
The tight end in Seattle’s system first and foremost has to be a good blocker. It’s why Zach Miller’s cap hit was $11m last year — higher than anyone else on the roster.
They really value what he brings to the team as a blocker first, catcher second.
Replacing Miller with a guy who can’t block to save his life just isn’t going to happen.
That’s not to say the Seahawks wouldn’t value a player with Graham’s insane size and athletic ability.
But the price to get him out of New Orleans will be two first round picks and a giant contract on top of that.
That isn’t happening.
He also turns 28 in November. So by the time you’re ready to start spending first round picks again, he’ll be into his 30’s.
This isn’t like the Harvin trade. That only took a single first round pick plus change. The 2013 draft didn’t have anywhere near the depth and quality of the upcoming class, so it looked like a no-brainer to the Seahawks front office.
Pete Carroll had previous with Harvin, so did Darrell Bevell. He was approaching his 25th birthday at the time, not his 28th.
Despite my original scepticism, the deal for Harvin made absolute sense.
The Graham suggestion makes very little sense.
How could you look some of your players in the eye after giving up a kings ransom for this tight end?
Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Bruce Irvin — the whole linebacker crew.
These are the guys who shut him down in the playoffs — out-fighting him on every target and making him look pretty ordinary in the process.
All after he initiated a pre-game scuffle with several Seahawks in a bizarre attempt to make some kind of statement.
Talk is cheap, as they say. Graham ended the game with one catch for eight yards.
You’re going to trade two first rounders and dish out an outstandingly massive contract before rewarding the guys (Thomas and Sherman) who helped shut him down in the post season on the way to a Super Bowl victory?
No way.
It’s encouraging that the cap will probably hit $150m by 2016. That’ll certainly help the Seahawks keep hold of Thomas, Sherman and Russell Wilson for the long haul, without having to decimate the rest of their roster (Bobby Wagner and others will also need to be re-signed).
But having already splashed out on Harvin a year ago, they can ill-afford to keep adding sizeable contracts.
They might not a get a player of Graham’s calibre with the #32 pick in May, but they’ll hopefully get a starter who earns no more than $2.1m during the four years of his rookie contract.
Call me a cynic, but this looks like a classic back-scratching job between journalists and agents a week before free agency.
One which I would totally understand, by the way.
But it’s up to us to see through it.
Right now Graham’s a franchise tag player and New Orleans don’t have any major incentive to budge form that position.
Giving the impression someone might swoop in with an offer-sheet perhaps encourages the two parties to talk, with Graham’s representatives pushing for a long term deal.
The battle lines are being drawn too. The Saints have tagged Graham as a tight end. He feels he should be tagged as a receiver. The difference is worth over $5m.
Any edge you can find, you’ll take.
This looks to me like the Graham camp playing their first card.
Seattle (the most attractive destination in the NFL right now it seems) and two other respected franchises (Green Bay and New England) — all with a perceived need at the position — are catalysts to try and get talks moving.
For one first round pick, I could see those teams being interested.
But the Saints won’t accept that.
And there’s no way those teams are coughing up two first rounders. Not with this draft class.
Graham to the Seahawks isn’t happening.
Franchise/transition tag news
Brian Orakpo is officially off the market, after he was one of four players to receive the franchise tag before today’s deadline.
With Greg Hardy one of the others to be tagged, this is good news for Michael Johnson.
For the teams hoping to adding a top tier free agent at defensive end, he’s now the best option alongside Jared Allen.
Don’t expect a dead market for pass rushers this year. Outside of the obvious top prospects, this isn’t a great class for edge rushers in the draft.
A lot of people expect Atlanta to trade up for Jadeveon Clowney. I think there’s an argument to be made that says they’re more likely to stay put at #6, use free agency to get a pass rusher and use the draft to get a much needed left tackle.
The other two players to be given the franchise tag were Nick Foles (K, New York Jets) and obviously Jimmy Graham.
Two players were given the transition tag — Alex Mack (C, Cleveland Browns) and Jason Worilds (OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers).
The Seahawks didn’t make any transactions today, which was to be expected.
They have until March 11th to prevent Michael Bennett, Golden Tate and co. hitting the open market.
Baffling that they think that’s a realistic possibility. Not happening.
2 first round picks for NOLA’s Jimmy Graham? WTF! That’s crazy. If you want to get crazy with trading away our 2014-2015 first round picks, why don’t we use the same 2 first round picks as part of a package to trade up and get Mike Evans instead. That would make some sense. Unless you think, as apparently JG does, that he’s a X receiver, and deserves to be paid as one… not a disappear in the big games, jokester TE.
Agreed, 100%! Trading two first for Mike Evans, or some other impact player from this year, and paying them FAR less than you would Graham, makes so much more sense. Plus, Graham does not seem to be Seahawky enough for this to happen, even if you take away all the salary cap issues.
I was thinking the exact same thing about moving up to pick Evans or Wilkins. Any idea what it would cost as far as picks? Jimmy would cost two firsts and 11/yr yikes.
Wilkins = Sammy Watkins?
I agree Rob. Probably one of the reasons Schefter gets scoops first is he will “walk the dog around the block” for agents with comments like this one.
Not only are we a hot FA destination, we are now a catalyst team used by agents for leverage for their star players. How far we have come in 4 years.
Now that Orakpo and Hardy are off the market, does that mean the possibility of the Hawks signing Johnson went down a little bit? Especially if I’m Atlanta; I’d much rather sign Johnson and draft someone good at 6 rather than move up for Clowney.
I would say that is accurate, Turp. There are too many teams needing a pass rusher for Johnson not to get snatched away quite quickly for a big price.
Seattle’s best bet for a new pass rusher is Jared Allen, but he too might get a nice deal. I think it’s the main reason they haven’t cut Clemons. They don’t want to weaken the pass rush. But until they know what else is out there, they’re not going to cut ties with a proven, effective starter — even if he wasn’t at his 100% best in 2013.
It may also jack up Bennett’s price if he doesn’t get signed soon.
True.
I was wondering about that too – and if the extra $10m cap will inflate the frontline free agent’s asking prices – ie, Bennett was floating say $8m/year before the cap was adjusted but the every team “getting” and extra $10m why not bump it to say $9m/year?
In that sense the cap adjustment isn’t really an assistance with the frontline guys, but definitely helps with the next level Breno’s, Hauschka’s, and McDaniels’.
cha, your points strike me as right. Certainly, this has been the pattern in baseball. In my view, there are more well run franchises in football, which may dampen the effect modestly. However, there are still enough Cleveland’s and Miami’s, who threw money around before and aren’t likely to stop now. Add to that a number of poorly run teams who perceive themselves as having loads of cap space (I’m thinking of Oakland in particular but Cleveland also falls into this bucket under previous management) and we have a witch’s brew for a very expensive free agent market. As always, we’ll have to watch it play out, but I don’t think it is an accident that Seattle is aggressively trying to wrap Bennett up before bidding starts. And I suspect the extra $10 million makes it more likely that Golden draws a too-high contract that Seattle declines to match.
I’ll be very surprised if Seattle gives Hauschka the big kicker money. His season was very, very good, but two years ago was nearly as good and the Hawks squeezed him all the way to vet minimum. Same with Gresham. As important as special teams are, it appears Schneider and Carroll believe in saving pennies here, where possible. I don’t have a read on how many teams perceive themselves as needing a kicker but I anticipate Seattle letting Hauschka go if he gets a $2 million a year offer. The talk of possibly franchise tagging Hauschka was never based on Seattle sources. (I’m surprised the Idzik tagged Folk; I had thought he would follow the Schneider model more closely in that regard.)
It wasn’t the Jets that tag folk. It was the Eagles tagging Nick Foles there QB who this year will get pay for 3.something million rather than what his rookie contract would have paid him. In essense they gave him a small pay raise for getting them to the playoffs.
My bad I guess Folk did get tagged have no clue why thou. Maybe they expect closer games being decided by field goals instead of TDs.
I actually think it makes it more likely that Bennett stays. If those two were to go to FA it would weaken the market and make it more tempting for us to make a splash. Now we are almost forced to grab Bennett, which isn’t bad at all.
Remember, the majority of ESPN Analysts also picked Denver to win the Super Bowl. They just don’t get the Seahawks.
I could see an interest from NE or GB though, but not for 2 1st rounders. It would be lot cheaper if either moved up in the draft to grab TE Ebron, especially from GB is already slotted.
I wonder if NE would take a chance in R-1 on ASJ? The talent is certainly there. Maybe Belichick figures he can get through to the young man.
Side note; the other day I was watching something on the NFL channel and a very young Belichick was giving an interview on the sidelines of a NY Giants game. In case any of you forgot or don’t remember, BB was the D Coordinator on those ferocious NY Giants teams with LT.
His knowledge as a D coordinator has translated to his offensive gameplans so well. He knows what makes defenses tick. They change their route combinations every week, whereas Manning has been running the same thing for almost 2 decades.
I love reading this stuff – these guys still do not understand what Seattle is all about. Jimmy, a guy we completely shut out – yeah this is a guy Seattle would spend 2 first round picks on. No one is going to go after Jimmy.
This one and all the mock drafts that have us picking Yankey at 32 – okay talking heads, bring us your best laughable stories.
News stories like this one strike at the heart of the crazy-making that is the climate leading up to the free agent market and draft.
It’s shocking that so many in the media don’t speak as if they perceive that Seattle has built their teams much like the sea-change in MLB the last few years – draft, develop and stockpile cheap young talent, augment your needs with reasonable veteran free agents, avoid the mega albatross free agent deals like the plauge and ONLY make a big splashy deal when all the circumstances fit – a truly unique talent who is not past his prime is available (ie, Harvin), and you have enough talent in place for that special piece to really fit the team.
Amen to that.
OT: Conversation starter. Greg Robinson > Clowney as a pro prospect?
I’d say Robinson, just because he’s so much more consistent. I don’t think I’ve ever in my short (2 year) scouting life seen a college tackle get to the second level and beyond as quickly and effectively as Robinson does. He does some absolutely insane things on the field. He’ll see the DB that is unblocked and get to the other side of the field taking a fantastic angle and finishing with a crack block.
Clowney is wildly talented, obviously, but he sometimes seems content being a decoy.
I want to see Clowney and Robinson in the same conference.
Another question I’d like to posit: Taylor Lewan > Jake Matthews.
Rams sitting pretty again for this upcoming draft. :/
Hell yeah, trade bait and two otherworldly prospects.
Rams would be foolish not to walk away with Clowney or Robinson. If they ever want to actually do something with the ginormous pile of talent they have there, they can’t mess around (if Bradford gets his shit together, they are playoff bound- big if though). Gotta add elite talent when the chance is there, so I guess as a Hawks fan I’m hoping they’ll trade it away for more picks, seeing as that strategy is really a bit of gamble. NE have been doing it for years and Belichick has done nothing but stock the team with decent to good talent.
Or Sammy Watkins.
Disagree, Football si the ultimate team game where even one player (JJ Watt, Peyton Manning), won’t make all the difference. If the choice is between Clowney @ 2, or the 8th pick + 2 2nd round picks or whatever is needed to trade up to #2, then as a team, I’d rather have more picks. Especially if the pick that’s given to you can still give you a Bridgewater or a Mike Evans or Taylor Lewan.
I think you are sadly mistaken. There is a time and place for trading back, but you can’t trade back EVERY time and pass up elite talent. And the Rams aren’t lacking in overall talent, they don’t need a total overhaul.
Part of the Hawk way has been to financially take care of our own (even though we cut Red and Rice, they both got PAID and are set up for life….as long as they don’t Terell Owens their money away).its time to take care of Earl, Sherm, Russell (soon), hopefully Benett….Grahm is soft and I don’t want him taking any of the $$$ that should go to the latter guys. He can have his hollow stats….same with the Broncos. Once these teams come up against our ferocious D they’re done!!!!!
Jimmy Softy Softerson doesn’t like to block. That’s a problem when considering his fit on this team. The poster who said, why not two first round picks to trade up was dead right. I believe we could get down low enough to get Evans with those picks, and even that low in the first round, his contract would not be comparable to the ginormous amount of money Graham seeks.
Jimmy Graham’s biggest wish would be to come to SEA. Stephen A. Smith said it best today “Jimmy Graham disappeared against SEA and great players don’t record games with one catch.”
Who’s Jimmy? LOL
This is a great site! When it gets into the 4th round, my knowledge is shaky at best. I only know what I have learned on this site.
http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/
32 WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. LSU
64 OT JA’WUAN JAMES TENNESSEE
128 DE BRENT URBAN VIRGINIA
134 TE CROCKETT GILMORE COLORADO STATE
160 QB LOGAN THOMAS VIRGINIA TECH
I like all of these picks except maybe Logan Thomas – I’d go OL again.
I’m a big fan of JaWuan James, so I’d be very happy with that pick if it happens.
I did a 9ers draft today.
30
CB JASON VERRETT
TCU
56
RB TRE MASON
AUBURN
61
CB BRADLEY ROBY
OHIO STATE
77
DE CHRIS SMITH
ARKANSAS
94
WR JARVIS LANDRY
LSU
125
DT JUSTIN ELLIS
LOUISIANA TECH
158
DE BRENT URBAN
VIRGINIA
189
S SEAN PARKER
WASHINGTON
219
WR JALEN SAUNDERS
OKLAHOMA
220
C JAMES STONE
TENNESSEE
222
ILB ANDREW JACKSON
WESTERN KENTUCKY
ugh. hate them.
heh, fun site. Thanks for the link. Did a quick 5-round draft
32
DT RA’SHEDE HAGEMAN
MINNESOTA
64
WR BRANDON COLEMAN
RUTGERS
128
OT SEANTREL HENDERSON
MIAMI
134
OLB PRINCE SHEMBO
NOTRE DAME
160
QB LOGAN THOMAS
VIRGINIA TECH
I like the Logan Thomas pick as a developmental prospect. Has great measurables.
I did a Whiners mock on that site and finished with them drafting all punters. Funny how that works.
Somebody should offer the Seahawks two first round picks for Zack Miller.
This Graham to Seattle proposal should go down as the ‘Bad idea of the Week’. It is only Monday so there is still time. What is next, a trade for Kaepernick so we can sit Wilson?
While I can see that the fit isn’t the best and concede the price is high. I would say consider a few things:
1. Graham got shut out by us. Yep. How many defenses like ours are we going to face? Try none. We matched up very well with NO defensively. Graham sure played soft against us. But against normal defenses, Graham is an incredibly explosive difference maker. Can you envision the kind of impact he would have against the garbage that is the SF/StL/AZ safeties?
2. We’ve been talking about big red zone targets seemingly since before the SB. Simply put, Graham is the gold standard for that role. He’s reinvented it pretty much single handedly. There is no prospect in this draft with his caliber of mismatch capability OR ability to dominate in the red zone.
3. To those who are ripping Graham’s blocking ability. Are you the same guys who are content with subpar TE prospects using the flaccid terms like ‘willing blocker’? Because if you are content with ASJ or Niklas or Amaro or even Ebron — then you’re basically selectively picking nits. None of those guys are even good blocking TEs. They pretty much just kind of try to get in the way of people.
4. We’ve seen just how potent having a surplus of difference making talent works. If you have 2 great pass rushing ends — they are more effective each than if a team can slide protection one way or another. If you have awesome CB talent across the board, then you can’t scheme your way past one really good corner. Forcing teams to pick their nightmare 1 v 1 matchup has a multiplicative effect on any one great player’s ability.
Harvin is a guy who can be an absolute monster if given space to operate. He can turn 5 yard completions into 50 yard completions rather routinely. Graham is a seam/deep threat that commands double teams. Even when we shut him down, we didn’t do it alone. But Graham clearing out safeties and support over the top affords Harvin a huge space to operate. Even if we simply discount the actual production of Graham in our scheme, the threat of him boosts Harvin’s opportunities. Exactly as the threat of Harvin removes defenders from the box and provides extra opportunity for Lynch.
Graham doesn’t have to catch 10 TDs for this team to have much greater success. He is a difference maker when he’s out in the pass patterns. And in particular, he’s a matchup made in heaven against the opponents in our own division. A seam busting TE is tailor made to be effective against the other teams in the NFC West.
Now I’m not necessarily endorsing this move. But I have to concede, that two late first round picks are simply not going to have the same impact as Graham. If it was just about picks, I wouldn’t hesitate. But it’s another 2nd contract we’d be assuming and it would definitely lead to cuts elsewhere. Despite rolling Miller’s salary over.
One last thing. If we’re this worried about our TE’s blocking ability, then really we’re looking late (R4+) in the draft for a guy who has talent at that. Any of the names bandied about as possible R1/R2 TEs are simply trash when it comes to blocking.
In response to bullet 3: I have to disagree. All four of them are better blockers than Jimmy Graham from what I’ve seen. Ebron is a little narrow to excel as a blocker. Amaro has some tenacity issues. ASJ has basically just gotten by on size advantage. Niklas is probably only the second or third best blocking TE in this class, but all are better than Graham.
4. Graham may threaten the seams and open it up on the outside, sucking in a LB or S, but how is he going to add to our identity, which continues to be running the football? Miller consistently springs Marshawn with seals on DEs and slice blocks across the formation. I can’t recall ever seeing Graham slice block or seal anyone, let alone someone from the great (GREAT) front sevens in our conference.
Teams are going to continue to sell out against the run. THAT is how we create space on the outside.
How is a seam busting TE “tailor made to be effective against the other teams in the NFC West”?
Lol. We all run such different schemes.
Niners and Cards both run a 34 base with a Cover 2 shell. But I think the Cardinals run a bunch more formations and do a lot more with Blitzing LBs and stunts and all that.
The Seahawks and Rams both run a 43 base with a Cover 3 shell. The Rams are/were like the Cardinals in that they run a bunch of different looks to manufacture pressure.
The Seahawks scheme is so unique. I love it.
Anyway. The seams are a weakpoint mainly against a cover 3, so…
It’s also important to consider that Graham was a bottom of the third round pick. I think he is much more a product of Payton’s Genius and Brees’ excellence. Yeah, he’s big and beats up on undersized corners when split out wide but we all have seen what happens when he is effectively planned for (blueprint is out btw…) and challenged. No thanks. I see no reason why Luke Willson can’t be as effective of a target when considering how few pass targets are their to be had in this offense. And also too (as John Clayton might say) a big WR from this draft could do the trick as well. All of these options are a lot more cap friendly.
Attyla: Great points as always. If NO hadn’t tagged him, I could see Seattle monitoring Graham and moving hard for him if the market was at all soft. As you describe well, he would add a significant dimension. He may have struggled against the Hawks, but he would be a difference making talent that would appeal to Pete and John.
I don’t think we can just ignore the fact that Michael bennett ripped Graham a new one post game, and Irvin had a spat with him as well. Do you really want to give up big draft stock and a big contract so you can piss off half the locker room? That’s nuts. You’d also be sending the message that you aren’t willing to pay your own, but you’re happy to spend big on guys from elsewhere. That’s not a good message to be sending.
He has no place in Seattle. He can stay in NO and catch 100 passes from Brees and play in their nice climate controlled dome.
I’m beginning to really like both Martavis Bryant’s and Cody Latimer’s game.
I’m not sure where Latimer is projected to go by most. Would love him in the fourth, but that feels really really late for him.
I’d take Bryant in the second over most of the options at 32.
Jarvis Landry’s name has cooled down a ton, recently.
I actually don’t think its that far fetched from a strictly analytical standpoint. Seattle could afford to pay essentially two 2nd round picks. They will be able to afford to max out the salary cap. And they do need to add to the potency of the offense. Add to that how well they find gems in later rounds that they can afford to give up occasional 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rounders and still win the big prize. Graham makes more sense to the ‘Hawks than other teams that don’t have all these things going for them.
But from a more realistic standpoint, they would never do it for exactly the reasons you cite in this post. This offense is built around being potent in the run game. They already have a great up-and-coming joker on the cheap in Willson and a lightning fast slot option in Harvin. And you know they will bring in some talent to compete for TE spots. They need a TE1 who can block like a champ and snag occasional errant throws made under duress.
Many have pointed out that Graham disappeared against the ‘Hawk defense. I don’t think you can really hold that against him because there is only one number one defense with the LOB. Even if he had been Seattle’s kryptonite, it wouldn’t change the decision to sign him. I sometimes wonder if it helps Seattle’s offense to be shut down in practice against this defense because other teams would give up plays this one won’t.
So I totally agree with your analysis but I don’t blame the national guys for playing up a Seattle scenario as they do occasionally live large. Even if the pundits showed they don’t understand the method of the JS/PC madness, I think it shows some respect and admiration for the power they have and sometimes wield.
Graham isn’t coming to Seattle. If he can’t compete on game day, how will he compete in practice with the defense we have. I think he have a hard time in the locker room here. We need another Miller type TE that can block and grab a few passes when needed. How about a C.J. Fiedeoronicz from Iowa.6’5″ 262lbs. 10 5/8 inch hands , the 40,shuttle, and cone are all simpliar to Miller but 25 bench reps I think is higher. I’d grab him in the 4th round if he’s there.
I at the point I don’t even need to discuss graham to Seattle because its not going to every happen in my life time.
You got that right!!!!
I’m predicting Crockett Gillmore will have the best NFL career of all the TEs in this draft. If he is there in the fourth or fifth round I would love to have him. He can do it all.
The main reason I’m against trading 1st round picks is that it would go against the ethos that this roster is built around- young cheap talent. Cheap talent will be even more necessary as ET and Sherman get paid. I would give 2 1s for Graham, but not the 60 million contract too. Like you said Rob, we need to look after our own guys first
With Wilson, Thurmond, Kam, Sherman, KJ, and Maxwell all coming mid to late I’m more inclined to think quantity would be better served with the Seahawks ability to find and develop talent. If they could move back in from the 1st for more picks, history says they’ll find more gems. There is less stress in this organization to absolutely nail the high picks because they are good at what they do through all forms of player acquisition.
But this is where the “in JS/PC we trust” kicks in because if they feel there is a guy at 32 who will make the difference, just draft him. But if there are five guys still available at 32 they like, drop down and add to the quantity.
As Rob has explained in previous posts, it is more likely Seattle trades back from 64 to get more picks than from 32. There will likely be a solid, first-round-grade player that falls to us at 32 in this draft that will be good value. Trading 64 will give us the chance to get back in the high to mid third and pick up a couple more late round picks. That is about the best we can realistically hope for.
The TE position needs a reduction in price, not an increase. With Harvin, Lynch, possibly Tate, and eventually WIlson getting big paychecks – the role players need to be affordable. Besides, Luke Willson proved to be a pretty effective playmaking TE. Why invest big money in a guy who would take away touches from Lynch, Harvin, Tate, and Baldwin anyway? Especially when we already have a deep threat TE on the squad who earns about a buck-fifty?
The Seahawks are very tight lipped with their plans because it is a tight knit organization where they love their job and employer. The only time they leak info is by design. For example they let it be known that Red and Rice were being dropped because it allows their agents to figure out which teams might be interested in their clients. Then they have the option of agreeing to take a pay cut rather than getting released. This is why there was a gap from when it was reported to when they were actually cut. I suspect the reason why there has been no public word on Clemons is that they’d like to re-sign Bennett first.
What guys like Shefter and John Clayton do is talk to their sources around the league every day all day long. If several of their sources speculate that this would be a good move for Seattle or even a move that if anyone did it would be a team like Seattle, they run with it and get everybody worked up on Twitter, PFT, etc. But you can rest assured that the idea of signing Graham never came for an internal team source.
You don’t win forever by overpaying for players. You don’t overpay in salary and you don’t overpay in draft position. Two first-round draft picks and a mega-contract for Graham violates both principles.
There is always a temptation to project a player’s same stats from another year or another system into next year and into your system but that is unrealistic. Remember Zach Miller’s receiving stats in Oakland before he came here? Miller is a more than capable receiver but we don’t use him in that role. Miller is an excellent blocker. Bottom line, Graham is a poor blocker and he doesn’t fit our system; our championship system.
The more interesting question is, “What do we do about Zach Miller?” You can’t overpay Zach in salary. You need that money for Thomas and Sherman (and Wagner and Maxwell and Wright and Smith, etc.) I think if Miller doesn’t agree to restructure his deal, the Hawks will draft the best blocking TE they can find in the mid-to-late part of the draft and move on.
Rob, who do you consider the best blocking TEs in the draft?
The only scenario I could see Seattle having interest in Graham is if they did what his agent wants and sign/play him as a pure WR. That way the whole run blocking issue mostly goes away and what he truly does best can be maximized. But that would have to be in a vacuum. When you factor in his age and his total cost relative to expected production, there is no way this deal makes sense, especially when for a lesser price we could conceivable move up to get a similar, better player in Mike Evans, as others here have mentioned.
“Call me a cynic, but this looks like a classic back-scratching job between journalists and agents a week before free agency.”
No sir, I’ll call you a realist with that take. Two words perfectly summarize the chances of this happening; no and chance.
I didn’t read all the comments so maybe this has been brought up, but if it hasn’t let me be the first to say, I think Graham is EXTREMELY overrated.
I think he’s soft. S-O-F-T soft. The guy disappears in literally every single big game. The Seahawks completely erased him TWICE this year alone, the Patriots erased him as well. Pretty much anytime the Saints are playing a tough opponent, Graham is a complete non entity.
Add that to the fact that the guy cannot block to save his life, I mean, he’s HORRIBLE at it, *easily, hands down the worst blocking TE in the NFL!
*I’m not exaggerating even slightly by saying that he’s hands down the worst blocking TE in football. He’s truly atrocious at it! In 37+ years of watching football, I cannot remember a TE at this level of football, ever being worse as a blocker, it’s like watching the Keystone Cops watching him try to block people.