Jimmy Graham traded to Seattle

[Corsi]

Jay Glazer ‏@JayGlazer  13s14 seconds ago
The Saints and Seahawks are trying to finalize trade Jimmy Graham and a 4th rounder for Max Unger and Seattle first rounder

 

[tims4wins]

Don't love this for Seattle. Erodes interior OL, Graham has a double digit cap hit, and they lose a first rounder? Win for the Saints IMO.

 

[Phragle]

Wibi's erection is now visible from space

 

[wibi]

Im okay with giving up the 31st overall pick for Graham but losing Unger is crazy stupid

 

[Corsi]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet  9s9 seconds ago
#Saints have a deal. They’re working out the logistics of sending TE Jimmy Graham & 4th to #Seahawks for Unger & 1st (@JayGlazer noted 1st)

 

[Corsi]

Jay Glazer ‏@JayGlazer  14s15 seconds ago
Saints and Seattle have now agreed on trade sending jimmy graham and a 4 to Seattle for max Unger and a 1st

 

[wibi]

Wibi's erection is now visible from space

 
Sadly its an inney (how the hell do you spell that word) over this trade.
 
When Unger ran the OL Seattle was averaging one more YPC than when he didnt.  When your offense is built around running ...

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Seattle absolutely needs some receiving options so he fills a pretty big need.
 
Though a first and Unger, a top C in the NFL, seems like a lot to give up. 

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Yeah, not understanding trading Unger. The offensive line was already weak, not sure you wan't to make it weaker.

 

[Marciano490]

 
Sadly its an inney (how the hell do you spell that word) over this trade.
 
When Unger ran the OL Seattle was averaging one more YPC than when he didnt.  When your offense is built around running ...

 
Would it still be built around running with Jimmy in the fold?

 

[Super Nomario]

Don't love this for Seattle. Erodes interior OL, Graham has a double digit cap hit, and they lose a first rounder? Win for the Saints IMO.

Saints will have to eat the signing bonus money ($3 MM), so Graham's cap hit looks like 8 / 9 / 10 over the next three years, as far as I can tell.

 

[MillarTime]

A lot to give up to be sure, but this gives Sea some much needed explosiveness in the passing game. With no 1st, wonder what the plan at C is now?

 

[tims4wins]

Looks like Unger had a $5.5M cap hit vs. Graham's ~$11M, so Seattle is adding about $5.5M in salary. Lynch is on the books for $11M as well right? And they haven't paid Wilson yet. And it's not like they can use the 31st pick to draft interior OL now. Yikes.
 
Edit: agree with super nomario, Graham is more like $8M this year, so only adding $2.5M this year

 

[Phragle]

You guys want to know how this affects my fantasy team?

 

[ivanvamp]

 
Would it still be built around running with Jimmy in the fold?

 
Losing one of their best offensive linemen and adding a pure pass-catching TE won't help the running game.  
 
Unless teams start focusing on passing, which may open up running lanes.  But at first blush, this seems to weaken the running game considerably.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Let's see how Graham does without 8 games in the Superdome.  He's not the toughest player and will have to battle the elements.

 

[Toe Nash]

Well, they needed a red zone receiving threat. How good is he at catching balls while lying on his back, though?

 

[Marciano490]

 
Losing one of their best offensive linemen and adding a pure pass-catching TE won't help the running game.  
 
Unless teams start focusing on passing, which may open up running lanes.  But at first blush, this seems to weaken the running game considerably.

 
Yeah, that's my point.  It seems like they've chosen to prioritize passing over running (insert not running Lynch joke here).  I suppose this also gives Wilson more leverage in his contract negotiations.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

I assume this means Seattle has a deal line up with Stephan Wizniewski or Myers from Houston.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Pete Carroll has done an amazing job identifying talent in the draft and developing it, but his trading report card is a big fail.
 
Hard to believe Graham is turning 29 this year.

 

[Mooch]

I think this is a terrible trade for the Seahawks. Unger is a guy you build a line around. They lose a lot of toughness and cap room in one fell swoop.

 

[DanoooME]

 
Sadly its an inney (how the hell do you spell that word) over this trade.
 
When Unger ran the OL Seattle was averaging one more YPC than when he didnt.  When your offense is built around running ...

 
 

Yeah, not understanding trading Unger. The offensive line was already weak, not sure you wan't to make it weaker.

 
 

I assume this means Seattle has a deal line up with Stephan Wizniewski or Myers from Houston.

 
I think the key is that Unger can't stay healthy and there's more to this that hasn't come to light yet.  Like a FA or two, since they have to replace Carpenter too.  And Unger is 29, so it's not like he's young.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

 
 
 
 
 
I think the key is that Unger can't stay healthy and there's more to this that hasn't come to light yet.  Like a FA or two, since they have to replace Carpenter too.  And Unger is 29, so it's not like he's young.

 
Yeah, I can get behind that. And Patrick Lewis played pretty well in place of Unger this season, so maybe they think he can do the job going forward.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Wouldn't be shocked to see Miami make a run at Brees.  Crazier things have happened.

 

[tims4wins]

Wouldn't be shocked to see Miami make a run at Brees.  Crazier things have happened.

Only six years too late

 

[Section15Box113]

I think this is a terrible trade for the Seahawks. Unger is a guy you build a line around. They lose a lot of toughness and cap room in one fell swoop.

But the guy they got wouldn't have been beaten by Malcom Butler on a slant.

/reactionary move

 

[Morning Woodhead]

I know he's had some injuries, but it must be worse than we know.  Saints are making their already awful cap situation worse with this trade.  They must really want to get rid of him. 
 
http://overthecap.com/saints-seahawks-working-blockbuster-trade-jimmy-graham/

 

[Old Fart Tree]

BANANAS

 

[rodderick]

Graham's gonna hate having to practice against that physical secondary. 

 

[Dogman]

So Seattle traded their best lineman and the 31st pick for a mid rounder and a very good TE who doesn't block.  Why?
 
They signed Lynch and, to me, that means they aren't changing their offensive philosophy.  What does Graham offer for a run first team with a weakened OL?

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Why not keep Unger and your pick and just throw money at Julius Thomas instead?

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Why not keep Unger and your pick and just throw money at Julius Thomas instead?

Jags offering him $9 a season. I don't think and probably they don't think, he's dominant enough to command that.\
 
 
The trade could be panic based on that, who knows. As a Saints fan, I'm not a fan of the move either, before knowing who the pick will be. Graham is a dominant pass-catcher.

 

[DanoooME]

Play action with a very good QB, a threat at RB, and a guy who can get open over the middle of the field? The trade is debatable from a value perspective but Graham could be quite good in that offense.

 
And they love to throw to the TE just like that, did it with Miller and most of this season with Willson.  If Willson controls his dropsies, this could be one of the best TE combos out there.  Who needs WRs?

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Why not keep Unger and your pick and just throw money at Julius Thomas instead?

 
Because the Jags are going to sign him.
 
...probably.