Jimmy Graham - How High Should He Be Drafted ? (1 Viewer)

[RalphMouth]

Hernandez - gone

Pitta - gone

Gronk - who knows ...

the tight end position is a mess right now so how valuable is Graham right now ? how early are you willing to draft him ?

the WR and QB position is deep this year so grabbing him in the early second round will probably become the norm but is it the Shark move ?

 

[jvdesigns2002]

In a ppr league--Graham will end up being a top 5-7 fantasy asset--and he's definitely worth considering in the mid-late 1st round. In regular scoring--I think he's a bargain in the mid second round. Having him is like having a top 10 wr in your te spot---a huge advantage.

 

[ShaHBucks]

1st round value.

 

[Leonidas]

I took him 11th overall (2.1) in a Yahoo money league and am happy with that decision.

I am beginning to wish that I had a later pick in my other leagues (have 2, 4, 4...12 team leagues) so that I can get one of the RB1's and then have a shot at Graham in the 2nd...but he seems to be gone by the middle of round 2.

I could consider him at the very end of round 1, provided there were enough RB's on the board that you would be okay with whoever fell to you in the 2nd.

 

[silentcoach]

I would start considering taking Graham him 6th in a TE mandatory league. He would be the second highest nonrb I would take in the first--Calvin being the other.

 

[Phenix]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TE is way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

 

[brun]

It depends on league scoring and roster requirements. I took him at 1.5 in an FPC league yesterday (TE's get 1.5 ppr). I could have gone with Megatron, but think Graham will dominate the TE position to a greater degree than Calvin does the WR position.

 

[RalphMouth]

99 receptions for 1310 yds and 11 TDs-

this was his 2011 stats when healthy-

85 receptions for 982 yds and 9 TDs

this was last year when not healthy-

this year could be better than 2011 if he stays healthy....

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

 

[pantherclub]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

Because he might not. And assumptions are bad.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

The fact of the matter is that even if Gronk misses no games-- there is no guarantee that he'll be the same player as before. He has no Welker or Aaron Hernandez to make life easier for him. Graham will definitely be a major part of the Saints offense--with Gronk-- there are a lot of moving parts that factor into how successful he'll be.

 

[pantherclub]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

Because he might not. And assumptions are bad.

All things considered, it would be idiotic to not assume that Gronk doesnt play the whole year and is at serious risk for missing major time.

You would be a fool to assume he plays a whole year going into your draft.

 

[Leonidas]

I think it is silly to, at this point, assume Gronkowski plays the whole season, and plays to his potential/past performances the whole season.

The most-likely scenario seems to be that Graham differentiates himself as the clear #1 TE with a significant gap before anybody else. IF Gronk comes back healthy and plays well all season, then the most-likely sub-scenario is that Graham/Gronk form a tier of their own, which still gives Graham huge value.

 

[pantherclub]

I think it is silly to, at this point, assume Gronkowski plays the whole season, and plays to his potential/past performances the whole season.

The most-likely scenario seems to be that Graham differentiates himself as the clear #1 TE with a significant gap before anybody else. IF Gronk comes back healthy and plays well all season, then the most-likely sub-scenario is that Graham/Gronk form a tier of their own, which still gives Graham huge value.

exactly, Gronk is going in the early 4rth now. Thats a wee bit high for me to draft a TE that I am pretty sure is going to miss some games and there is no indication as yet that he is even remotely close to being healed.

 

[Phenix]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

YES

 

[kutta]

I think it is silly to, at this point, assume Gronkowski plays the whole season, and plays to his potential/past performances the whole season.

The most-likely scenario seems to be that Graham differentiates himself as the clear #1 TE with a significant gap before anybody else. IF Gronk comes back healthy and plays well all season, then the most-likely sub-scenario is that Graham/Gronk form a tier of their own, which still gives Graham huge value.

exactly, Gronk is going in the early 4rth now. Thats a wee bit high for me to draft a TE that I am pretty sure is going to miss some games and there is no indication as yet that he is even remotely close to being healed.

It's high to draft "a TE" or high to draft an injured Gronk? I assume if Gronk was healthy you would have no problem drafting him earlier than the early fourth?

 

[Mario Kart]

4th round

 

[Warrior]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking. I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

 

[Phenix]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

 

[Leonidas]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

Unfairly?

Is there a relevant SP thread regarding these thoughts that somebody could point me towards?

 

[Phenix]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

Unfairly?

Is there a relevant SP thread regarding these thoughts that somebody could point me towards?

I'm a Saints fan, it was for sure unfairly. lol

 

[TheFootballJesus]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.

The 2007 Patriots disagree.

 

[TALL hobbit]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking. I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking. I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

The DC from the scandal is gone. Some of the players are gone. That season is over. IMO it would be a mistake for Payton to try and make bounty gate some rallying cry.

Payton has always been about putting up points and his teams have responded. He doesnt need to dwell on or rehash an incident that could just prove to be distraction anyway. The saints feel they got jobbed but its probably better for them to have a short memory rather than holding on - like when a ref makes a bad call. To me a coach doesnt want to have. His team focusing constantly on how they got screwed.

Also, how is it even revenge on roger goodell if they go out and win the Super Bowl? That would be one of the best comeback stories for the NFL ever. It would be even bigger ratings than normal. Unless you think goodell has a special ax to grind with the saints - he should love that outcome because it would be good for the NFL.

 

[Donsmith753]

Top 2 in PPR

1.01 in TE premium

 

[hotboyz]

To get back on the original topic I think it can he argued that Graham is valuable enough that he can be first non RB drafted assuming 12 tm ppr you lookin at about pick #5 1st rd.

The only problem is if he plays but doesn't play up to lofty projections we all have for him that could throw ya whole season into the tank!

 

[Grahamburn]

To get back on the original topic I think it can he argued that Graham is valuable enough that he can be first non RB drafted assuming 12 tm ppr you lookin at about pick #5 1st rd.

The only problem is if he plays but doesn't play up to lofty projections we all have for him that could throw ya whole season into the tank!

Underperformance due to injury would be the only worry here, and that's inherent in any player's risk column.

I'd take JG before any WR not named Calvin Johnson, and would invest a pick on him at the turn in a 12 team league.

That being said, if you miss on Jimmy I'm starting to think a player like Vernon Davis could potentially keep up with JG if he's used the way SF is indicating he will be.

 

[Polish Hammer]

My league (14 teams) allows you to start a second TE as a flex and they get 2 PPR (other skill positions get 1 PPR). Therefore there is naturally a higher value placed on top TEs. My guess is that if he was in the open market he'd probably go in the top 6-7 picks of the draft. (We also have QB premium scoring and the ability to start a second QB as a flex.) You'd see Brees, Manning, ADP, and pick your flavor of the next top 1-2 each of QB/RB plus Calvin and then Graham would be in the mix.

Luckily I get to keep him this year for the cost of a 5th.

 

[meyerj31]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think he barely moves higher than he was before (which was already really high). The baseline didn't change (TE12 didn't get any better or worse) and only a small amount of value changed between the top TEs (with respect to the overall value pool from all positions).

Given the deep first round RB talent available (and steep drop off around RB16) I think it's a mistake to take him anywhere in the top 10.

In a standard 1/2/3/1 no flex, PPR league, Graham is the correct VBD pick at 11. He is behind both AJ Green and Calvin, but equal to Ray Rice and TRich (using the projected stats from PFF in a VBD model).

BUT ... nothing is guaranteed that Graham will return to his 2011 levels.

I read an interesting article that explained how coaches are tending to use their slot cornerback on joker/move TEs. if Graham routinely faces those he's not going to have 100 catches this year. If anything, that kind of defensive strategy favors other Saints receivers. I actually expect Colston to have a great year this year.

 

[dickey moe]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

Because he might not. And assumptions are bad.

FF is chock full of assumptions.

 

[Phenix]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

Because he might not. And assumptions are bad.

FF is chock full of assumptions.

Connskin has a knack for trying to take the other side of whatever I say, even if he makes a fool of himself in the process.

"Assumptions are bad," isn't that what fantasy football is all about? So comical.

You assume a certain player will perform? You assume this guy will get hurt, you assume certain players are injury prone, you assume certain moves will help out. lol Some people hatred run so deep they look like fools trying to attack someone.

 

[Grahamburn]

I read an interesting article that explained how coaches are tending to use their slot cornerback on joker/move TEs. if Graham routinely faces those he's not going to have 100 catches this year. If anything, that kind of defensive strategy favors other Saints receivers. I actually expect Colston to have a great year this year.

Jimmy Graham is listed as 6'7" and 265 pounds.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I have said it that he is the most valuable fantasy football piece outside of ADP. Having him on your roster is like having Calvin Johnson at TE, so in TE mandatory leagues, I see him going wherever you want to take him after ADP, yes even over Calvin as the gap between #1 and #2 TEis way greater than that between #1 WR and #2 WR. He is the #1 elite talented target on a pass happy team with one of the best QBs if not the best in the league. Yeah, he can go at #3 in PPR leagues and I wouldnt be the least shocked, because he can put up sick numbers as we have all seen.

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

Are you just assuming Gronk misses a large part of the season here?

how can you not?

Because he might not. And assumptions are bad.

FF is chock full of assumptions.

Connskin has a knack for trying to take the other side of whatever I say, even if he makes a fool of himself in the process.

"Assumptions are bad," isn't that what fantasy football is all about? So comical.

You assume a certain player will perform? You assume this guy will get hurt, you assume certain players are injury prone, you assume certain moves will help out. lol Some people hatred run so deep they look like fools trying to attack someone.

Yeah...it's all about you, champ.

 

[Instinctive]

1. Stop feeding the Phenix troll please.

2. If Graham has a slot corner on him, I feel like he'll destroy that guy. So many of his routes are high pointing or button routes (from what I've seen, I would love to know where to find data on this so I could confirm) where he just kind of shields the defender off with his body that a little slot corner would get killed. Just my opinion.

 

[Shawnky]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

Unfairly?Is there a relevant SP thread regarding these thoughts that somebody could point me towards?

They never proved anything.........did they? So, yes......unfairly.Being someone so enlightened as yourself on how justice works one would think that you could have picked up on this without help.

 

[meyerj31]

1. Stop feeding the Phenix troll please.

2. If Graham has a slot corner on him, I feel like he'll destroy that guy. So many of his routes are high pointing or button routes (from what I've seen, I would love to know where to find data on this so I could confirm) where he just kind of shields the defender off with his body that a little slot corner would get killed. Just my opinion.

I'm not saying it makes it impossible, and he's still a lock for 80-85 catches with upside, but having a slot cornerback on him 100% of plays certainly caps his upside a little bit. He was not being covered by slot cornerbacks very often in 2011. Look at any highlight reel - quite a few of his big plays came from linebackers dropping in coverage or zone type defenses where he found a hole and sat down.

I would love to see his stats from exclusively being covered 1:1 against a slot corner. I bet they are lower than you'd think. Again, not saying he can't beat them regularly, but it caps his upside, since those are more talented pass defenders than what he was seeing in 2011.

And I will say again that Colston, Sproles, and the running game are going to benefit the most from a healthy, balanced Saints offense this year.

 

[Spike]

Top 2 in PPR

1.01 in TE premium

I have a friend who plays in a 2QB 2TE PPR (among other positions) league and he said Graham usually goes in the early second round. I was stunned. I would have thought he's possibly be the #1 overall pick.

 

[Phenix]

1. Stop feeding the Phenix troll please.

2. If Graham has a slot corner on him, I feel like he'll destroy that guy. So many of his routes are high pointing or button routes (from what I've seen, I would love to know where to find data on this so I could confirm) where he just kind of shields the defender off with his body that a little slot corner would get killed. Just my opinion.

Speaking truth, strong opinions and not kissing but of others = trolling

Got it.

 

[unckeyherb]

I read an interesting article that explained how coaches are tending to use their slot cornerback on joker/move TEs. if Graham routinely faces those he's not going to have 100 catches this year. If anything, that kind of defensive strategy favors other Saints receivers. I actually expect Colston to have a great year this year.

Jimmy Graham is listed as 6'7" and 265 pounds.

I had the same thought after reading that. Going against guys that are half a foot shorter and 50 lbs lighter seems like a good thing for Graham?

 

[Phenix]

I read an interesting article that explained how coaches are tending to use their slot cornerback on joker/move TEs. if Graham routinely faces those he's not going to have 100 catches this year. If anything, that kind of defensive strategy favors other Saints receivers. I actually expect Colston to have a great year this year.

Jimmy Graham is listed as 6'7" and 265 pounds.

I had the same thought after reading that. Going against guys that are half a foot shorter and 50 lbs lighter seems like a good thing for Graham?

Here is his highlight reel from 2012, look at 4:10 thru 5:00 he makes some good jump lays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixPd6NUJ0Gs

 

[Instinctive]

1. Stop feeding the Phenix troll please.

2. If Graham has a slot corner on him, I feel like he'll destroy that guy. So many of his routes are high pointing or button routes (from what I've seen, I would love to know where to find data on this so I could confirm) where he just kind of shields the defender off with his body that a little slot corner would get killed. Just my opinion.

I'm not saying it makes it impossible, and he's still a lock for 80-85 catches with upside, but having a slot cornerback on him 100% of plays certainly caps his upside a little bit. He was not being covered by slot cornerbacks very often in 2011. Look at any highlight reel - quite a few of his big plays came from linebackers dropping in coverage or zone type defenses where he found a hole and sat down.

I would love to see his stats from exclusively being covered 1:1 against a slot corner. I bet they are lower than you'd think. Again, not saying he can't beat them regularly, but it caps his upside, since those are more talented pass defenders than what he was seeing in 2011.

And I will say again that Colston, Sproles, and the running game are going to benefit the most from a healthy, balanced Saints offense this year.

Very excited about Colston - agreed. I think this offense could be record-setting this year. Going to be some value in Lance Moore and one of the other WRs I bet too. With Graham and Colston and Sproles clearly at the top, there are still a solid what, like 200 targets somewhere? Just given their recent passing history, I feel like 650 attempts or so, 150 each to Graham and Colston still leaves 350 for Sproles + others. Could be a huge value piece in here somewhere.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Top 2 in PPR

1.01 in TE premium

I have a friend who plays in a 2QB 2TE PPR (among other positions) league and he said Graham usually goes in the early second round. I was stunned. I would have thought he's possibly be the #1 overall pick.

I'm in a 2QB 2TE PPR and I took him at 1.10. Was surprised he fell that far.

In a normal league I wouldn't overstate his value. You can get Owen Daniels or Brandon Myers in Rd 11 and the point differential last year was 4. Calvin has 4 PPG over guys that go in the 3rd and 4th. The list of guys with '12-Myers/Daniels-level upside is pretty deep this year.

 

[hotboyz]

Top 2 in PPR

1.01 in TE premium

I have a friend who plays in a 2QB 2TE PPR (among other positions) league and he said Graham usually goes in the early second round. I was stunned. I would have thought he's possibly be the #1 overall pick.

I'm in a 2QB 2TE PPR and I took him at 1.10. Was surprised he fell that far.

In a normal league I wouldn't overstate his value. You can get Owen Daniels or Brandon Myers in Rd 11 and the point differential last year was 4. Calvin has 4 PPG over guys that go in the 3rd and 4th. The list of guys with '12-Myers/Daniels-level upside is pretty deep this year.

Yea that was last yr you can't draft by last yr numbers u draft on what u expect this yr. You say that but what if graham puts up numbers like2011? Then the advantage is tremendous

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Top 2 in PPR

1.01 in TE premium

I have a friend who plays in a 2QB 2TE PPR (among other positions) league and he said Graham usually goes in the early second round. I was stunned. I would have thought he's possibly be the #1 overall pick.

I'm in a 2QB 2TE PPR and I took him at 1.10. Was surprised he fell that far.

In a normal league I wouldn't overstate his value. You can get Owen Daniels or Brandon Myers in Rd 11 and the point differential last year was 4. Calvin has 4 PPG over guys that go in the 3rd and 4th. The list of guys with '12-Myers/Daniels-level upside is pretty deep this year.

Last year Graham was hurt and didn't have Peyton calling the offense and he still gave his owners a weekly advantage of almost 4 points. I hate to tell you--but a guy that gives your team a 4 point weekly advantage is very worthy of a first round pick.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Last year Graham was hurt and didn't have Peyton calling the offense and he still gave his owners a weekly advantage of almost 4 points. I hate to tell you--but a guy that gives your team a 4 point weekly advantage is very worthy of a first round pick.

Stop me if that is the conversation. I thought it was whether he deserved to be top 2 as Silva and some people above have proposed.

 

[unckeyherb]

I read an interesting article that explained how coaches are tending to use their slot cornerback on joker/move TEs. if Graham routinely faces those he's not going to have 100 catches this year. If anything, that kind of defensive strategy favors other Saints receivers. I actually expect Colston to have a great year this year.

Jimmy Graham is listed as 6'7" and 265 pounds.

I had the same thought after reading that. Going against guys that are half a foot shorter and 50 lbs lighter seems like a good thing for Graham?

Here is his highlight reel from 2012, look at 4:10 thru 5:00 he makes some good jump lays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixPd6NUJ0Gs

exactly. Those passes are being caught at 9'-10' up in the air. Who is the CB that can contend with that? Nnamdi is 6'-1" for reference.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Last year Graham was hurt and didn't have Peyton calling the offense and he still gave his owners a weekly advantage of almost 4 points. I hate to tell you--but a guy that gives your team a 4 point weekly advantage is very worthy of a first round pick.

Stop me if that is the conversation. I thought it was whether he deserved to be top 2 as Silva and some people above have proposed.

Top 2 is not out of this world. If you look at who is getting drafted in the top 2 right--most likely adrian peterson and doug martin/arian foster--- the question is which player can give you season long reliable performances and weekly advantages. I love both Adrian and Arian when both are healthy--but when assessing the injury probability of running backs to tight ends---one could very easily justify going graham in the top 2. I personally wouldn't go top 2 myself--because I factor in value. If I had a top 2 or 3 pick--I'd pick Adrian/arian/d. martin--and then look to trade that player down for a Jimmy Graham + another decent player. My point was that the advantage that Graham gives a team is very well worthy of a high first round pick--but his perceived fantasy value (ADP) will probably end up in the late first/early second. I probably should have been more eloquent stating that so my apologies if I came across as being rude.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

I'm sure he does have a chip on his shoulder, but how does that translate? Will he now call more of his "secret" plays that he's been saving all of these years? Wil he coach harder? Saints are going to be a great offense either way.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I think he barely moves higher than he was before (which was already really high). The baseline didn't change (TE12 didn't get any better or worse) and only a small amount of value changed between the top TEs (with respect to the overall value pool from all positions).

Sure it did. When you remove two or three options from the mix it pushes everyone else up.

Also you can't just compare Graham to the baseline TE, you'd also have to consider how big a gap his "X Number" is from the No. 2 or No. 3 projected TE as well to assess his true value. He doesn't just offer a tremendous advantage over TE12 but his advnatage over TE2 could be far greater than Calvin v. Greene or Rodgers v. Brees.

 

[Grahamburn]

ETA: Keep in mind Payton and Brees have a score to settle with the NFL, this year is not gonna be pretty for opposing defenses.

give me a break. Such a ridiculous line of thinking.I find it funny when people confuse real life with tv soap operas.

So you don't think Payton has a chip on his shoulder? What a ridiculous thing to think after he was unfairly suspended for a whole season of doing what he loves, I'm sure he has no interest in making the league his ##### this year.

I'm sure he does have a chip on his shoulder, but how does that translate? Will he now call more of his "secret" plays that he's been saving all of these years? Wil he coach harder? Saints are going to be a great offense either way.

Pretty simply he could just decide to continue trying to score touchdowns late in games where the Saints are already leading by a good margin, which is what the Patriots did. They didn't take their foot off the gas until the last whistle blew.