Jimmy Graham is the best tight end in the National Football League. With no offense to Rob Gronkowski, Graham is slightly more durable and athletic in the open field. While there is no doubt that the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots have had the top two tight ends in the game over the past few years, is there any chance that the two could wind up on the same team in 2014? It may sound crazy, but it is something that the Patriots should at least consider.
On Friday, the Saints placed their franchise tag on Graham, meaning he may end up receiving the $7 million salary that comes for a tight end under the tag rules. The thing is, the Saints placed the non-exclusive version of the tag on Graham, meaning that any NFL team could sign Graham away from New Orleans, provided they are willing to give up two first-round draft picks and a contract that the Saints are unwilling to match.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports said that no team in its right mind would give up two first-round picks for Graham. I say any team unwilling to give up two first-round picks for the top tight end in the game is clearly already out of their right mind.
Think about it for a second. Yes, first-round picks are highly valued in the NFL. Sometimes, they are overvalued. Truth be told, no team has any idea what it is going to get out of any first-round draft pick. Not this year, or last year or in the future. Some can turn around an entire franchise, while others set them back. Two first-round picks is a lot, but what about for teams who are consistent winners and always pick toward the very end of the first-round, like the Patriots? Would giving up two first-round picks really be that big of a deal for a team who can almost see and hear its window slowly closing?
Any such move by New England or any other NFL team is highly unlikely, although I maintain it would be well worth considering. Gronkowski is likely to miss a large portion of the 2014 NFL season. He is on the sidelines in street clothes nearly as often as he is on the field. The Patriots excel in the two-tight end set. Just think about what they could do if Gronkowski does come back and lines up along with Graham.
Tom Brady is not getting any younger. This team is built to win now. Two first-round picks in 2014 and 2015 may turn out to help the team in the long run as they build for a future run.
By then, Brady could be retired.
For the Patriots, the time is now. Signing Graham would solidify that.
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