The deal: Seattle Seahawks trade center Max Unger and a first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in return for tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick.
The verdict: Seattle wins.
Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus gave the Seahawks an A- grade for this trade with his only concern centering on the first-round pick the team surrendered. However, Graham will prove worth it, as he instantly becomes the most dangerous pass-catcher in Seattle. Finally, quarterback Russell Wilson has a go-to target and the offensive weaponry extends beyond his and Marshawn Lynch's legs.
"Over the past two seasons, no tight end has more receptions (171), touchdowns (26) or yards (2,104) than Graham, and he's finished in the top two in yards per route three out of the past four years," Monson wrote. "Graham had the highest receiving grade of any tight end in 2013 (plus-18.2), and he'll fit in nicely with an offense that had just one positively graded receiver last season (Doug Baldwin)."
While Graham has the opportunity to be a real impact player for the Seahawks, Monson urges fans to temper their expectations from a stats perspective. Graham's play will be more reflected in wins than in box scores.
"The only on-field reason for tempered enthusiasm is that the Seahawks have a propensity to run the ball, and Graham's strength is not as a blocker. Last season Graham line up at wide receiver on 63.4 percent of his snaps, while Seattle lined up its tight ends in the slot or outside on just 20.3 percent of the snaps. Graham has struggled in the past as an inline blocker, but the Seahawks will likely be creative with Graham as they have been with their weapons in the past."
Monson gave the Saints just a C+ for their haul of Unger and a first-rounder. Unger is without a doubt one of the best interior linemen in the NFL and is still just 28 years old. Nabbing a first-round pick is always a valuable move as well. But Graham is a special player who mere presence makes a significant difference and that will prove hard to replace.
"The bottom line here is that the Saints added a very good center...and they got a first-round pick thrown in, as well, which might end up being the best part of this deal for them. However, in doing so, they have sacrificed one of the truly transcendent offensive weapons in the NFL in Graham. If Unger's arrival solves the Saints' issues on the offensive line, it will likely have been worth it; if not, Graham was a very steep price to pay."
