Jimmy Graham got hit with the franchise tag as many expected by the New Orleans Saints ahead of free agency and with it being the non-exclusive tag, speculation has come up that a team like the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, NY Jets and Washington Redskins could try to acquire him through an offer sheet.
The teams wouldn't be trading for Graham technically, but they might as well be if they make the offer, as that would mean the team signing him would have to surrender two count em two first round picks over the next two seasons while also paying him a boatload of money. While this is very unlikely, and we mean very unlikely based on past history, the MMQB.com points out a couple teams that could technically afford it, including the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Peter King and many others have pointed out the Seahawks have a glaring weakness at tight end and with the number 32 pick and a high one likely for next season as well, losing the two first rounders may not hurt as much. It has also been pointed out that the team has about $15 million in cap space and could have more, making Graham not a huge problem on the cap. But for all those reasons that are good, the main ones why the team won't do are for three names: Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.
The Seahawks need to re-sign those players and they all come up with new deals next year and are eligible for them and that puts the Seahawks in a tough spot. Sure they could go all in on Graham, but is a TE that hasn't played well in the playoffs historically worth losing either Sherman or Thomas? Not on this Seahawks team.
A high amount of cap room and low first round picks could equal and offer sheet for graham, but it's more likely that no one will do it. Some have suggested the Green Bay Packers as well after they are going to lose Jermichael Finley the offseason, but that is not a move the team traditionally makes either. Graham also could challenge that he is a WR and that would push the price up more. Last season he had 16 TDs to lead the league and he has turned into a valuable weapon for the Saints.
Graham had 86 catches for over 1,200 yards last season and two years ago he had 99 for 1,310 yards and now he has a chance to put up even better numbers. In his career, Graham has 301 receptions for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns and is a force for the Saints and they will not let him go easily.