Seattle Seahawks: Is Jimmy Graham the missing piece?

After back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, there is very little the Seattle Seahawks could do to open eyes across the league and make everyone stop and say “Wow, they’re serious about making a title run this year.”

Yet on Tuesday afternoon, the Seahawks organization did just that by sending shockwaves throughout the football world.

In what some are already calling a season changing move, the Seahawks shipped their 31st overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and center Max Unger off to the New Orleans Saints. In exchange, Seattle received a fourth-round pick and one of the most dominant tight ends in the NFL today in Jimmy Graham.

Sep 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory

Credit

: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Graham, towering over defenders at 6’7”, is one of the NFL’s premier pass threats at the tight end spot. Since 2011, Graham has remained in the top five of receptions for tight ends while also doing the same for reception yards, and touchdowns respectively. Simply put: Graham is an undeniable force to be reckoned with on the football field.

"“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to acquire a player of Jimmy Graham’s caliber, and will remain relentless in our pursuit of sustaining that championship culture.” Said Seahawks general manager John Schneider in a press release."

After releasing tight end Zach Miller the previous week, the Seahawks were primed to make a splash in free agency, after making moves such as acquiring corner back Cary Williams and re-signing running back Marshawn Lynch.

So what does the Graham deal mean for Seattle?

The Seahawks have finally addressed their tight end issues. Zach Miller wasn’t effective enough to get the job done, and back up Luke Willson had a minimal effect as well. Interestingly enough, a Seattle tight end was not looked to in last year’s Super Bowl. Russell Wilson has regularly struggled to work the ball to his tight ends, and in 2014 the stuggles were showcased, where Seattle tight ends combined to catch the football a mere 48 times, sixth fewest in the NFL according to ESPN.com

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches the ball to score a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons strong safety

Kemal Ishmael

(36) defends during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory

Credit

: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

While addressing their tight end woes, the Seahawks also addressed their red zone problems as well. Last season, the Seahawks lacked a true threat in the red zone, having to lean on play call creativity or Marshawn Lynch. Had Seattle brought in Graham a year before, the end result of Super Bowl XLIX might have swung in favor of the Seahawks.

In addition, Graham adds a new dynamic to the Seahawks offense. With dual threat Wilson at the helm, Lynch carrying the ball and Graham lining up to catch the football, Seattle’s offense has improved vastly overnight and looks legitimately threatening to opposing defenses around the league.

The Seahawks emerged as clear winners in the Graham trade. Not only did Seattle gain another threat on the offensive side of the football, but will see little to no after-effects with the pieces dealt in the trade. Seattle, who is already an established franchise for the next few years, won’t necessarily miss a tail end first round pick, or a replaceable center in Unger.

The headaches have already begun for defensive coordinators on Seattle’s upcoming schedule, and with the Wilson-Lynch-Graham trio ready to start churning, the Seahawks look primed to make another deep run in 2015.

Next: New York Giants: Additive of Shane Vareen a big Positive

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