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According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms on a deal that will send superstar tight end Jimmy Graham and a 2015 fourth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for veteran center Max Unger and the 31st pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
This trade happens just one year after the Saints signed Graham to a four-year, $40M extension. New Orleans, who is entering the 2015 season cap-strapped, was forced to make a few trades or cuts to free up cap space in order to sign some key free agents. The Graham trade allows the Saints to accomplish just that. The first-round pick acquired by the Saints will also provide the team with a cheaper way to bring an impact player to the team in 2015.
There is no doubt that the Seahawks received an elite offensive force on the field, racking up 889 yards and ten touchdowns in what was statistically a "down" year for Graham in 2014. The 28-year old gives the Seahawks a legitimate red-zone weapon and one of the best play-makers in the league, something Seattle thought they were getting when they traded with Minnesota for Percy Harvin prior to the 2013 season.
The Saints acquire Max Unger, who despite missing a majority of last season, was ranked as the fourth best center in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
This trade came just minutes before the start of the NFL free agency period began.
