Mickey Loomis: Saints would franchise Jimmy Graham as a tight end

If the New Orleans Saints are unable to work out a new deal with Jimmy Graham, the organization plans to place the franchise tag upon him.

Here's where it gets messy: Graham played the majority of his time flanked out as a receiver in New Orleans' offense in 2013, meaning there's a chance the NFL forces the organization to apply the receiver rate instead of a tight end.

General manager Mickey Loomis, speaking to WWL-TV, said the Saints would designate the tight end franchise tag on Graham if needed.

The difference in money between the two tags is quite sizeable. For tight ends, this year it will be $6.709 million. For receivers, it's $11.539.

The Saints better hope they reach a contract with Graham before it comes to this.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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