New Orleans Saints Win
Seattle sent All-Pro C Max Unger and the #31 overall pick to New Orleans for TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th-rounder. Graham had productive moments and Pro Bowl recognition in Seattle, but the cost of losing Unger and first-round value made the fit and value increasingly hard to defend. The Graham trade is Seattle's clearest scheme-fit failure. Graham's value in New Orleans came from a high-volume passing system; Seattle asked him to fit into a run-first offense that relied on tight-end blocking. Unger stabilized the Saints' line, while Seattle's offensive line weakened during Russell Wilson's prime. Winner: New Orleans Saints.
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Jimmy Graham
- pick 2015 4th round pick (112th overall subsequently traded, Arie Kouandjio )
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Max Unger
- pick 2015 1st round pick (31st overall, Stephone Anthony )
Trade Summary
Seattle sent All-Pro C Max Unger and the #31 overall pick to New Orleans for TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th-rounder. Graham had productive moments and Pro Bowl recognition in Seattle, but the cost of losing Unger and first-round value made the fit and value increasingly hard to defend. The Graham trade is Seattle's clearest scheme-fit failure. Graham's value in New Orleans came from a high-volume passing system; Seattle asked him to fit into a run-first offense that relied on tight-end blocking. Unger stabilized the Saints' line, while Seattle's offensive line weakened during Russell Wilson's prime. Winner: New Orleans Saints.
Trade Analysis
Seattle sent All-Pro C Max Unger and the #31 overall pick to New Orleans for TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th-rounder. Graham had productive moments and Pro Bowl recognition in Seattle, but the cost of losing Unger and first-round value made the fit and value increasingly hard to defend. The Graham trade is Seattle's clearest scheme-fit failure. Graham's value in New Orleans came from a high-volume passing system; Seattle asked him to fit into a run-first offense that relied on tight-end blocking. Unger stabilized the Saints' line, while Seattle's offensive line weakened during Russell Wilson's prime. Winner: New Orleans Saints. Saints gained a high-level center and first-round value while moving Graham, making the trade materially stronger for New Orleans in hindsight.