Jimmy Graham

[MikeO]

Saints put the non-exclusive tag on him. Would cost around $12 mill a year to sign him and give up 2 first round picks to get him. Saints don't think anyone will do it, I think the Saints are in for a rude awakening.

I don't know the cap situation of every team, but a few teams (ie  Jets, Browns (who have 2 first round picks this year), Philly, Atlanta) should seriously consider it. And if I were Miami I wouldn't rule it out, they have the cap space and I would sacrifice 2 first round picks for an elite TE like Graham.

[Sunstroke]

$12 million a year and 2 first round picks? Put me on the Saints side of the equation...I don't think anyone will pony it up.

[masterfins]

Graham's way too expensive to acquire.  Not to mention once these guys seem to grab these huge contracts with new teams their play diminishes, unless they are going to a SB caliber team.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ That and the fact that, no matter where he goes, he's almost guaranteed to downgrade the quality of the QB throwing to him.

[MikeO]

With the big jump in the salary cap paying him is of an issue since every team has more cap space. It comes down to the draft picks and if a team thinks "its close" to a super bowl it is well worth the risk of giving up 2 first rounders. Plus a team could wait till after the draft and not lose picks till 2015 and 2016 if they want too. I could see a couple teams in that situation. Philly being one of them. $25+ mill in cap space and Chip Kelly going on and on about wanting to sign more and more skill position players this offseason

[el diablo]

I give the Saints credit for pulling this, and I feel that they will win this gamble. Two 1st rd picks are two 1st rd picks.

[MikeO]

I give the Saints credit for pulling this, and I feel that they will win this gamble. Two 1st rd picks are two 1st rd picks.

I mean the Colts gave up a 1st rounder for Trent. Don't you think if they had a "do-over" they would not do that deal and give up 2 first rounders for Graham? For teams picking at the end of round 1 that are "close" to winning a super bowl 2 first round picks aren't a big deal for a guy who can upgrade your offense by leaps and bounds

[Sunstroke]

With the big jump in the salary cap paying him is of an issue since every team has more cap space. It comes down to the draft picks and if a team thinks "its close" to a super bowl it is well worth the risk of giving up 2 first rounders.

I just had a swooning moment, imagining the 49ers with Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis at TE with Crabtree and Boldin split out wide.

Aw hell, where's that Kleenex... Clean up on aisle 6!!

[Landshark]

I just had a swooning moment, imagining the 49ers with Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis at TE with Crabtree and Boldin split out wide.

Now that's fucking scary. I don't think even Seattle could stop that

[MikeO]

I just had a swooning moment, imagining the 49ers with Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis at TE with Crabtree and Boldin split out wide.

Aw hell, where's that Kleenex... Clean up on aisle 6!!

That's the type of team that should consider this. I mean yes 2 first round picks is a hefty price but he might put SF over the top. I think Philly is another team that could take a swing at it. New England should consider it but would have to clear cap space to pull it off.  I think a team with multiple first round picks (ie Browns) should consider it as long as they can keep their higher of the two picks they have this year.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ If SF went for it, I would be more than happy - nay, fucking ecstatic - to eat my earlier words about no one wanting to pony up. Unfortunately, we have other vital parts of our team that need to get paid, so unless we plan on starting 3-4 newly drafted players this season, I think Jimmy the Giant might be out of our price range.

It is a very pleasant thought though...mercy.

Clean-up again on aisle 6!!

[dolphins4life]

^^^ That and the fact that, no matter where he goes, he's almost guaranteed to downgrade the quality of the QB throwing to him.

If he is guarenteed to make the quality of the quarterback he is playing against look worse, why are the Saints not letting him go? 

[Spider-Dan]

Sunstroke is saying that by moving to a different team, Graham will be experiencing a downgrade in the quality of the QB throwing to him (from Drew Brees to, say, Brian Hoyer).

[el diablo]

I mean the Colts gave up a 1st rounder for Trent. Don't you think if they had a "do-over" they would not do that deal and give up 2 first rounders for Graham? For teams picking at the end of round 1 that are "close" to winning a super bowl 2 first round picks aren't a big deal for a guy who can upgrade your offense by leaps and bounds

I get where you're coming from. Two unknowns for a known isn't that big of a deal. However, the cost asdoiciated with it would turn me off. Two picks & a cheap price, fine. No picks & a hefty price, fine. Two picks & a hefty price, problem. That's where I'm coming from. Trent is still under a rookie contract so at least cap wise it didn't hurt the Colts.

[Brian Fein]

Don't count the Patriots out.  Gronk is made of glass and they like to have two studs in the middle.  Be ready for Gronk/Graham attack.  Bellichick doesn't care about first round picks.