San Francisco 49ers Free Agent Option Number Three: Jimmy Graham

The San Francisco 49ers look to improve their offense and one position of interest is tight end. Jimmy Graham is a notable option.

The San Francisco 49ers have the opportunity to improve their roster big time once free agency starts rolling around in about a month.

We’ve already discussed two potential defensive targets for the 49ers. Those player were corner backs Kyle Fuller of the Chicago Bears and Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots.

Keeping things fresh, we switch over to the offensive side of the ball, specifically looking at the tight end position.

Previously, on Golden Gate Sports, we discussed how the 49ers tight end position needed an upgrade.

One of the players listed to help improve the tight end corps was Jimmy Graham.

The Player

Jimmy Graham was born on November 24th, 1986 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He attended college in Miami and was eventually taken in the 2010 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints as the 95th overall pick in the third round.

The six-foot-seven tight end has played for the Saints as well as the Seattle Seahawks — one of San Francisco’s biggest rivals. Graham was traded by New Orleans to Seattle for a first-round pick and veteran center Max Unger.

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Graham has been a member of the Seahawks since 2015 and now, at 31 years old, it might be time for a change of scenery. And yes, that place is San Francisco.

Last Season Stats

Jimmy Graham had always been a monster for the Saints excluding his rookie year where his lack of eye-popping stats is understandable. He was still adjusting to the league.

Aside from his rookie season for the Saints, Graham had more than 85 receptions in four straight seasons.

His second year in the league showed that he could be a very special player. Rather than falling into a sophomore slump, he instead, had a sophomore spark. That season, Graham totaled 99 receptions for 1,310 yards. Out of those 99 catches, 11 of them went for touchdowns and 74 of them went for receiving first downs.

But, after the trade to Seattle was finalized, Graham’s numbers went down. His first season in Seattle resulted in only 48 receptions and two touchdowns. Yes, you read that right. Two touchdowns after having a total of ten in the season prior.

The most catches for Graham in a Seattle jersey came in the 2016 season, when he caught 65 passes for 923 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season, Graham suffered another down year. He only caught 57 passes for 520 yards. On the bright side, he scored ten touchdowns off of those passes.

Out of all of the unrestricted free agent tight ends this season, he places first. Second on that list is Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton, who had five touchdowns.

If Graham would have been on the 49ers with those same exact numbers, he would have led the team in the touchdown category, easily.

Is he a fit with the 49ers?

Well obviously, he would be an ideal fit. He would be alongside youngster George Kittle, who impressed many last season. But, both Kittle and fellow tight end Garrett Celek were both bothered by injuries quite frequently last season.

It would help, having one of the most talented tight ends in the league on a roster that with one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league in Jimmy Garoppolo under center.

We can’t possibly know how Kyle Shanahan would use Graham in his system if he did sign, but one thing is clear: you found your red zone target.

Scoring in the red zone was an area the 49ers struggled in massively last season, and often had to turn to those annoying field goals.

Yes, it’s an opportunity for three points but who wants those when you can score touchdowns?

Next: Reuben Foster Puts the 49ers in a Tight Spot

Don’t overpay the guy, but he needs to be someone brought in for the next few seasons.

Another worthy note: He is another Jimmy G after all.

Would you sign Jimmy Graham?