NFL Trade Rumors: Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks eyeing Jimmy Graham?

Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a pass during warm ups before the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a pass during warm ups before the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a pass during warm ups before the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a pass during warm ups before the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL franchise tag deadline is this afternoon, but the New Orleans Saints have already gone ahead and used their tag on tight end hybrid Jimmy Graham. The idea of tagging Graham seems to be so the Saints can have time to work out a long-term deal, but there may be other plans afoot when it comes to Graham’s future.

While hardly a report, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Monday morning that the idea of the Green Bay Packers or Seattle Seahawks trading for Graham isn’t as crazy as it seems — or is it?

In order to acquire Graham, a team would have to sign him to an offer sheet and then hope that the Saints don’t match. If the Saints don’t — or can’t — match the offer, then the team signing Graham would trade two first-round picks to New Orleans to get him.

Both the Packers and Seahawks are in win now modes, and while they built though the draft, adding a dynamic and game changing weapon like Graham is unthinkably attractive. For the Saints, getting two first-round draft picks (which equates to a total of four) is a hard bargain to pass up, although Graham is hardly chump change to just toss to another team.