NFL trade deadline: One move every team should make
By Joe Schiller
13. New Orleans Saints: Trade for Jimmy Graham
The Saints are winners of three straight and one of the hottest teams in football right now. The offensive firepower isn’t the same as it was last season and that’s partially in fault to the play at tight end. Coby Fleener has been average at best and if the Saints want to seriously compete with the big boys of the NFC this season, they need an upgrade at the position. What better way to do that than to reunite with a former friend.
That’s right, the Saints should trade for Jimmy Graham. Just two years after trading him to the Seahawks, it’s time for a reunion.
After exploding on to the scene with the Saints in his first few years, Graham has been a shell of his old self since joining the Seahawks. Injuries and inconsistencies on offense have limited Grahams’ role. He’s better off on an offensive minded team and coming back to New Orleans is a move the Saints should consider.
The Saints won’t be getting back the same player they traded away, but anytime a defense has to cover a 6’7″ tight end, it’s going to be a problem. Graham is also extremely familiar with Peter Carmichael Jr’s offense. There would be little to no adjustment back into the offense and Graham could come in and play right away.
The Sean Payton and Drew Brees window is coming to an end and this looks to be the year for the Saints. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move that could pay off all the way into a potential playoff run.