Hawks Send Unger & a 1st to Nawlins
Free agency in the NFL is underway and the Seattle Seahawks are flying out of the gate. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the Seahawks and their crafty general manager, John Schneider, pull off a very high-profile trade that nets the Hawks the highly talented tight end, Jimmy Graham.
The Seahawks had recently cut ties with their best tight end Zach Miller, releasing him for salary cap reasons, so landing Graham certainly fills that void — and then some. The cost of getting Graham to Seattle was not cheap, however.
The Seahawks are sending their all-pro center, Max Unger, to the Saints in exchange for Graham along with their first-round draft selection in the upcoming 2015 NFL draft.
Now, the draft pick doesn’t bother me. The Seahawks have made a living out of drafting in the middle and late rounds. Most of the players they’ve taken with No. 1 picks ar’nt nearly as refined as guys like Richard Sherman, who was taken well after the first round.
Graham will have to come up with a new number to wear in Seattle. #80 is retired for Steve Largent (Photo Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY)
Sending Unger to the Saints, however, that is a steep price. I realize Unger has missed multiple games the past couple of seasons, but when he is on the field, the Seahawks’ offensive line is a much better unit. Unger’s departure leaves starting vacancies at center along with left guard since James Carpenter has already been sent away too.
The Seahawks will need to address their O-line in the draft in a major way now. The good news is that Seattle still has plenty of draft picks in its favorite area of the draft — the late and middle rounds. By my count, the Seahawks now have a second-round pick, a third-round pick, three fourth-round picks, three fifth-round picks, two sixth-round picks and a seventh-round pick.
I think it’s safe to say the Seahawks have more than enough picks to find replacements for Unger and Carpenter utilizing the draft.
In the mean time, enjoy the idea of Graham running routes in the Seattle offense. The Seahawks needed help in this area, and Graham is just about as good as it gets as far as tight ends go.
Here are some telling numbers:
In the Super Bowl loss, Russell Wilson had zero completions to a tight end. In the last four seasons combined, ALL of the Seahawks tight ends have combined for 204 catches with 19 touchdowns. In those same four seasons, Graham has 355 catches for 46 touchdowns.
Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? Someone will have to inform Bruce Irvin, though. Given the numbers, I think Irvin will warm up to his new teammate.
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