Pete Prisco grades the Jimmy trade to Seattle

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What it means to the Seahawks: It means they have an elite tight end, a player who can create real matchup problems for a defense. Graham has a special skill set, possessing receiver-type ability and yet his size makes him a matchup nightmare. In Seattle's offense, with all the play-action and plays with the quarterback outside the pocket, Graham will be such a threat. He played last season with a shoulder that was banged up, but he toughed through it, catching 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. I asked him at the Pro Bowl how bad he was hurt, and he said, "You have no idea." When he's healthy, he is capable of lining up anywhere on the field. That's his value. He does carry a huge contract after signing a four-year, $40-million deal with the Saints last year. The Seahawks will lose roughly $7 million in cap room with the deal. With Unger done, the Seahawks will need to find a center, although that could come in the draft. The players on the roster don't look like long-term answers.

Seahawks Grade: B+

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What it means for the Saints: They are losing a star tight end on a team that lacks great playmakers outside. That will be felt. They do get a good center in Unger, and they had major problems inside last season. When Drew Brees gets pressure inside, it shows up in a big way because he is a short quarterback. That was the case in 2014. Unger will help alleviate that. It appears the Saints will be moving to more of a ball-control offense with Mark Ingram as the featured back. They do get some cap relief down the road from the Graham deal, but not this year. He is on the books for $9 million because of the signing bonus. This is a weird deal. But who is calling the shots. The word is that it's coach Sean Payton. Is this a desperation move? Is his job on the line? Time will tell. I just think it's odd that a team that is so pass-happy can get rid of a big-time playmaker like Graham.

Saints Grade: D

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