Will Jimmy Graham Have A Role In The Saints Offense? Fantasy Football Outlook

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was the 95th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The former Miami Hurricane only played one year of college football, totaling 17 receptions for 213 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 13 games.

However, the Saints turned the former basketball star into an elite NFL tight end. Graham was outstanding during his first stint with New Orleans, totaling 386 receptions on 595 targets for 4,752 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns in five years.

Yet, the Saints traded the star tight end to the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. Graham had 170 receptions on 265 targets for 2,048 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in three years with Seattle. The veteran then spent two years with the Green Bay Packers in 2018 and 2019 before joining the Chicago Bears in 2020.

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Will Jimmy Graham Have A Role In The Saints Offense?

The Saints signed the veteran tight end to a one-year deal on Tuesday. At first, many believed it was a one-day contract so Graham could retire as a member of the Saints. However, the former Miami basketball star wants to play this season.

Unfortunately, this move is likely more for headlines than on-the-field production. Graham didn’t play last year. More importantly, he struggled in 2021, totaling only 14 receptions on 23 targets for 167 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 15 games with the Bears.

New Orleans has an impressive tight end unit, making it hard for Graham to have a consistent role this year.

Should I Draft Jimmy Graham?

Many in the fantasy football community believe the veteran tight end has something left in the tank simply because of his name. However, Graham is a shell of his old self and is more likely not to make the final roster than have a fantasy impact this season. Therefore, fantasy players shouldn’t consider drafting the veteran tight end in 2023.

Instead, Juwan Johnson is the tight end in New Orleans that fantasy players should draft. Last year he finished third among tight ends in receiving touchdowns. He should only be better this season with Derek Carr under center.

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