Jimmy Graham will be franchise tagged as a tight end after the arbitrator in the case issued his ruling Wednesday.
The Jimmy Graham decision is out. Burbank has ruled he’s a tight end. The Saints have won
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 2, 2014
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The arbitrator's ruling is subject to appeal, though:
Jimmy Graham can appeal the decision to a three-person panel, per the CBA. It's something for him to mull over now.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 2, 2014
In addition to his ability to appeal, Graham could also work out a long-term contract. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal says that the decision is likely just leverage for long-term contract talks.
If Graham accepts the franchise tag, he will earn just over $7 million dollars this season. If he were tagged as a wide receiver he would have made about $12 million.
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Earlier this month, the NFL said that it would introduce Graham's Twitter bio, which lists himself as a tight end, as evidence in the hearing. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it factored into the ruling.
