NFL Player News

Jimmy Graham is listed as a tight end by the Saints and is commonly thought of as a tight end. But he'll file a grievance against the Saints if they designate him as such with the franchise tag this offseason, NFL Network reports.

It's expected that the Saints won't let Graham test free agency this offseason because the team can tag him. But the difference in price between the franchise tag for a tight end and the franchise tag for a wide receiver is nearly $5 million. 

"That's where we drafted him, that's where we play him," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "In our view he's a tight end. That's what makes him valuable."

Graham puts up stats and is utilized like a receiver. Last year he caught 86 passes for 1,215 yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdowns.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham opted to stay out of the debate of whether he should be viewed as a tight end or receiver when it comes to his status for the franchise tag, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

"That's not for me to decide," Graham said. "I'm going to do, and I'm going to play, whatever I'm asked to do. It's that simple."

Graham, a free agent this offseason, said he doesn't know where he stands right now with a long-term deal or getting the franchise tag.

"For me, I'm just standing," Graham said. "I take every day one day at a time. I'm just going to wait and see what happens because that's where it's at. ... I'll be ready like I always will be."

It's early, and the Lions could always move in another direction, but there's an indication that Joseph Fauria could emerge as Detroit's primary tight end in 2014.

This is especially relevant since the guy calling the Lions' plays, Joe Lombardi, is a former Saints assistant who will use the Saints playbook as a basis for the one he'll call plays from in Detroit. And you know who the Saints tight end is, right?

Fauria has intrigued me because of his size. I'm not sure if he has the pure athleticism and speed Graham has but after scoring seven times on 18 catches last year as an undrafted rookie there's clearly a role for him at least in the red zone. Plus if he's out there along with Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and whoever lines up at receiver then he'll be a tough guy to cover. 

I've added Fauria to the bottom of my sleeper tight ends list and would consider a late-round pick on him in Fantasy drafts. 

New Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi says he plans to use the Saints playbook as a starting point for Detroit's new offense. 

Does that mean second-year tight end Joe Fauria could play in the same kind of capacity as Jimmy Graham in New Orleans? That's what the 6-foot-7 tight end is aiming for. 

"I have a similar background to (Graham) with basketball and similar height and the way we play," Fauria said. "I'm not calling myself Jimmy Graham, but I strive to have the kind of production he has. I think I can contribute very similarly to how he has with the Saints."

Fauria told his trainer he wants to fine-tune "everything" this season and has already had a number of talks with his position coach, Ron Prince, about improving everything from his skill set to his playing time. 

The Lions' official team website notes that if the team doesn't re-sign Brandon Pettigrew then Fauria's chances of being a contributor go up significantly. 

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a third-round pick last year, saw his rookie season wiped out by a knee injury. If he can stay healthy, he should get lots of playing time in 2014, reports ESPN.com.

The website notes Kelce is a "move" tight end who showed in training camp that "he could get down the field to make catches more like a wide receiver than a tight end." Kansas City also has tight ends Anthony Fasano and Sean McGrath, but "neither is the versatile receiving threat Kelce could be."

Kelce caught 45 balls for 722 yards and eight touchdowns in his last season at the University of Cincinnati.

The Dolphins signed defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui, running back Cameron Marshall, tight end Kyle Miller, tight end-fullback Emmanuel Ogbuehi, offensive tackle Michael Ola, wide receiver Ryan Spadola and offensive tackle Jason Weaver. Ola played in the CFL the past two seasons, while the rest ended 2013 on Miami's practice squad.

With the Saints currently $12 million over the projected salary cap, coach Sean Payton knows re-signing All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham carries repercussions throughout the roster.

"I know that [general manager] Mickey Loomis, CAA (Creative Artists Agency), Jimmy Sexton (Graham's agent) and all parties involved are going to work very hard and very diligently, no different than they did with Drew (Brees) on his contract," Payton told Fox Sports 1. "With that being said, the first thing that comes to my mind with free agency is your own roster. I think often times that gets overlooked.

"The most challenging part of your job as a coach, and I share that with Mickey or anyone that has been with an organization as long as we have been, going on year nine, is some of the tough decisions that have to be made with regards to your cap with the ability that you possibly can sign Jimmy Graham," he added.

If the Saints and Graham can't agree on a long-term deal, the team will slap the franchise tag on Graham by March 3. A tight end tag would cost about $6.8 million, while a wide receiver tag would cost about $11.6 million, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

"It's very easy to say 'you are certainly going to get this done' but you have to understand there is a budget here," Payton said, suggesting several veterans could be released. "That's the challenging part. You are going to read these names that have already come across the ticker from Atlanta last week (the release of cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Stephen Nicholas) and we will be no different."

New Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi sounds like he's high on tight end Brandon Pettigrew, the team's most prominent remaining free agent.

“I think it’s important to have a guy that can block at the point of attack. That’s important,” Lombardi told the Detroit Free Press. “And then you want a guy that can be a pass receiver, so you’re always looking for those well-rounded guys. But again, I’ve never been in the mode of I wanted to find exactly what this player is and then you have to go find him for me. Go find the best player you can.”

The Lions and Pettigrew, who turns 29 this month, haven't had serious contract discussions yet, the paper said.

The Seahawks signed defensive tackles D'Anthony Smith, Michael Brooks and Dewayne Cherrington, defensive back Akeem Auguste, receivers Phil Bates and Arceto Clark, tight end Cooper Helfet and guard Jared Smith. All were on the team's practice squad.

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis was looking like a candidate for release after he missed nearly six full games with a calf injury and failed to make an immediate impact upon his return. But after catching 16 passes for 242 yards and four touchdowns over the final five games, it appears Lewis will return in 2014, reports ESPN.com.

Lewis will count $8.25 million against the cap. If he stays healthy, the 29-year-old could reach 50 catches, according to the website.