Adam Trautman's rookie year looks a lot like Jimmy Graham's 2010 debut

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Jimmy Graham was one of the most electrifying players in the NFL in his heyday, but he didn’t hit the ground running for the New Orleans Saints. As a rookie third-round pick (95th overall) way back in 2010, he was slotted behind veterans Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas on the depth chart. He didn’t even dress out for the season opener.

It appears the Saints are taking a similar approach with Adam Trautman, a third-round rookie (selected 105th overall) ranked below Jared Cook and Josh Hill. He was a healthy scratch for their Week 5 contest with the Los Angeles Chargers, with the Saints opting to promote practice squad veteran Garrett Griffin in his place. Trautman’s first six games in 2020: 6 receptions on 7 targets for 73 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Now compare that to Graham’s first six games back in 2010: 5 receptions on 7 targets for 49 receiving yards. He was eased into the offense much like Trautman has been, before getting a late-season promotion in Week 9. Graham caught 3 passes for 49 yards and a score that day before averaging 3.3 receptions for 38.8 receiving yards per game down the stretch.

Sure, the comparison looks flimsy from an athletic standpoint. Graham was an inch taller and five pounds heavier than Trautman, while timing a blazing 4.53-second 40-yard dash (Trautman’s 4.80-flat was more pedestrian). Graham was a little better in the vertical and broad jumps, but Trautman pulled away in the agility drills, which you’d expect of a slightly smaller athlete.

Still, the similarities are there. And it at least appears the Saints are following the same blueprint to work a former basketball player-turned-tight end into the lineup. If so, it’s working well after Trautman caught his first career touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

Maybe the long-term vision is for Trautman to keep picking up more responsibilities as the year continues. Veteran starter Jared Cook is still their best option as a receiving threat, but he’s a free agent in the spring and had a couple of low moments against Tampa Bay, including a fumble at the Bucs’ 2-yard line on a would-be scoring play. The sooner Trautman can earn that role, the better off the Saints should be.