The New Orleans Saints slapped Jimmy Graham with the non-exclusive franchise tag.
Under terms of the non-exclusive franchise tag, Graham is able to speak to other teams about a deal. If they reach a deal the Saints then have the option to match it or the Saints can let Graham go for two first round picks.
Saints slapped @TheJimmyGraham w NON-exclusive tag, creating more drama. Any team can sign Graham for 2 1st picks or Saints can match
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 1, 2014
Even as Graham shows freakish skills that scenario is not going to happen.
Worse for both sides is the Saints still contend that Graham is a tight end while where he lines up falls in line with a traditional wide receiver. A showdown is looming as Graham will contest and argue that he is a wide receiver.
As a tight end Graham would earn $7.035 million in 2014 while as a wide receiver he would make $12.312.
Graham, 27, caught 86 passes for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Saints in 2013.