Talk about a blockbuster trade to kick off the 2015 Free Agency period. The Seattle Seahawks are making moves to make sure they have a chance to get back to the Super Bowl next year. The New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a trade that will send former Saints pro bowl tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks for Seattle’s now former center Max Unger and the 31st pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
According to ESPN,
Graham, 28, is regarded as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, a man who often lines up as a wide receiver. He has 4,752 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2010. In his five seasons with the Saints, Graham had more receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns than any other tight end in team history.
According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, Seahawks tight ends combined for 48 receptions in the 2014 season, sixth fewest in the NFL. Quarterback Russell Wilson didn’t target his tight ends once in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. It was the first time in his career he didn’t target a tight end in a game.
Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis had made it clear that they didn’t plan to sit idly by after a disappointing 7-9 season in which they underachieved on both sides of the ball — Graham included.
Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season but was less effective than ever as a downfield threat, averaging a career-low 10.5 yards per reception.
Unger, 28, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection out of Oregon. He was one of only three players on the Seahawks that were on the team before Pete Carroll became head coach in 2010, along with nose tackle Brandon Mebane and punter Jon Ryan. Unger played in only six regular-season games last year because of knee and ankle injuries.
The Seahawks released tight end Zach Miller last week, so it was clear they were in the market for another tight end. Graham is starting a four-year, $40 million contract that will pay him $10 million this season and has $20.9 million in guaranteed money.
If you ask me the Seahawks just become one of the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Russell Wilson now will have a elite pass catcher who can also be a threat in the red zone. As trades and deals continue to unfold, stay tuned to HHS1987 for all your sports news.
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