re: Mike Freeman: it's believed a handful of teams are preparing offers for Graham.

it would be great but I'd still count a trade not quite to two 1sts as more likely. Two 1sts isn't unprecedented but hasn't happened in 14 years.

for your persusal, some history of traded franchised players-

April 19, 1997: Quarterback Heath Shuler voided the final five years of his contract, but Washington extended a qualifying offer that put the team in line to receive a first-round and a third-round pick to the team that signed him. Washington wound up settling for a fifth-round choice in 1997 and a third-round choice in 1998 from New Orleans, which acquired Shuler.

April 21, 1998: Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, Washington's franchise player, was traded to Carolina for Panthers' first-round pick in 1999 (No. 5 overall) and a first-round choice in 2000 that turned out to be No. 12.

Feb. 12, 2000: Wide receiver Joey Galloway, tagged as a franchise player for the second consecutive year, was traded from Seattle to Dallas for Cowboys' first-round pick (No. 19 overall) in 2000 and a first-round choice in 2001.

April 6, 2005: The Chiefs traded a fifth-round pick for DE Carlos Hall, who was a restricted free agent and certainly not a franchise-tagged player. Hall played only one season with Kansas City.

March 21, 2006: The Atlanta Falcons acquired Jonathan Abraham, the New York Jets' franchise player, giving the Jets the No. 29 overall pick in the 2006 draft.

March 11, 2006: Washington traded its third-round pick in 2006 and fourth-round pick in 2007 to San Francisco in exchange for Lloyd, a restricted free agent, who then received a $10 million signing bonus from Washington. He was cut two years later.

March 5, 2007: The New England Patriots traded their second-round pick (No. 60 overall) and a seventh-round pick to the Dolphins for receiver Wes Walker, a restricted free agent originally chosen in the second round.

March 17, 2008: Center Chris Myers was acquired by Houston for a sixth-round pick, the same round the Broncos originally selected him in back in 2005.

April 22, 2008: The Vikings acquired defensive end Jared Allen from Kansas City, trading the Chiefs a first-round choice (No. 17 overall) and two third-round choices (No. 73 and No. 82) in exchange for Allen, who was designated franchise player.

Feb. 28, 2009: New England traded quarterback Matt Cassel, who had received the franchise tag, and linebacker Mike Vrabel for the Chiefs' second-round pick, No. 34 overall.

April 17, 2009: Offensive tackle Jason Peters traded from Buffalo to Philadelphia in exchange for the Eagles' first-round pick (No. 28 overall) and fourth-round pick (No. 121) in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010
LINK

the one that strikes me most similar is Jared Allen. he was one of the most dominant players in the NFL at the time. If I was guessing for Graham I would say a 1st Rd pick + a 2nd or 3rd- depending on the placement of those picks in the round. using the historic Draft pick Value Chart I would want 1700pts for Graham, however you put the picks together. best fits might be-

Buffalo #9 + #41 1840pts
not much at TE, Manuel needs weapons, Marrone has an established relationship with Loomis. $25mil of cap space. Buffalo is a nice long ways away to ship him too also

Tampa Bay #7 + #69 1745pts
Luke Stocker?, $19mil of cap space, doubt they would deal to see Graham on the other side twice a year

Oakland #5 straight up 1700pts
no TEs there, Dennis Allen connection could grease the wheels, $65mil of cap space, Lose Graham, add Sammy Watkins, Jake Matthews, or Khalil Mack

What are the odds a deal happens that nets us something decent in return aka what's the probability he's on the team next season?

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I love Graham, but come on.

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he's one of the 3 best receiving weapons in all of football. Too me it wouldnt be crazy if someone valued him that high in today's past first league

It's almost like our fans have become enamored with the idea of getting picks for the guy. Like they are playing Madden Live. It's ridiculous.

What's bad is that its probably Seattle, San Fran or maybe even New England (who has a qb that's always willing to restructure his contract for the bettement of the Team), so our two 1st rounders would be probably the 26-32 pick. If that's the case it would kind of suck.

Maybe the best owner, and GM, in sports, Mr. Jerry Jones would do something crazy to get him. .....

Wish Al Davis was still alive, would be nice to have two of their 1st rounders.

My thought was IF we got the 5th it would be right where someone would look to offer for that pick to get a needed QB. And as such a lot of picks could be had.
Don't see it happening but you never know.

It's not the picks I'm enamored with, although it would be nice. It's the cap space in combination with the picks I'd really love. I'd rather have Graham than not have him, but I just don't see how it's going to be good for us long term to be paying two top contracts on offense, even with the cap rising over the next two years.

This is the only scenario I'd think it would be beneficial to lose Graham. We could be a better, all around team with the extra picks and cap space.

Of course, if no one bites, the next best scenario is a long term deal,

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They say this isn't speculation. However, no teams have officially revealed their hand. So, for now, it's partially speculation.

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some great writing and reporting here

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and are more than willing to give up two first-rounders to get him

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I would be down for that assuming its a team picking pretty low

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Quite the game of chicken we're playing.

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It's heightened by the arbitrator position decision as well. That's $5+mil swing factor one way or the other. The last two times that has happened (Suggs, Finley) the team and player met in the middle. It comes down to your take on the arbitrator if you wanna risk it. Win it being TE and a long term deal becomes way more likely. Lose that and the Saints might actively try to move him rather than cope with a $12mil tag and no future assurance.

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I'd take #9 plus Jairus Byrd.

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Yes please!...Probably not gonna happen though.