Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has ruled that Jimmy Graham of the Saints is a tight end, not a wide receiver, and therefore will be franchise tagged as such. NFL Network learned of the news on Wednesday, meaning that Graham's franchise tag tender is at $7 million for 2014, not $12 million had Graham been ruled as a receiver.
An appeal by Graham is expected.
The deadline for working out a long-term deal is July 15. If a deal isn't done by then the Saints and Graham can only agree to the guaranteed terms of the franchise tag. It remains to be seen if Graham will hold out of training camp.