BREAKING: TE Jimmy Graham Traded To Seattle

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ric Tapia

The Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a blockbuster trade just prior to the start of the National Football League’s  free agency. According to Fox Sports‘ Jay Glazer, the deal includes the Seahawks shipping center Max Unger and a first-round pick to the Saints in exchange for tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick.

Since 2010, Graham has more red-zone touchdowns than any player besides tight end Rob Gronkowski. Throughout the 2011-2014 seasons, Graham had 355 receptions, 4,396 total yards, and 46 touchdowns.

From Seattle’s perspective, this is the ideal move. Graham will supply quarterback Russell Wilson with the deep threat the franchise has lacked since the departure of wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Following the 2013 season where Graham caught 16 touchdowns, a Saints’ record, Graham signed a four-year deal reaching a maximum value of $40 million with $21 million guaranteed. The Seahawks will owe Graham the $27 million remaining on his contract.

Graham has suffered his fair share of injuries in recent years, involving his hip, shoulder, and back. On the flip side, the New Orleans Saints receive two-time pro-bowler center Max Unger. In addition the Saints will receive a fourth-round pick for the 2015 draft. Unger played in six games during the 2014 season before suffering an ankle injury. In addition to Unger’s departure, the Seahawks also lost offensive guard James Carpenter. Unless the Seahawks address their offensive line needs, with the departure of the two, they will rely on running back Marshawn Lynch to read the defenses and run behind a lower-class offensive line.

In the start of the free agency craze, this is the one of the first cases to drive the audience around the NFL into an uproar.