I LOVE this trade.
Graham is soft. So what? The guy is basically a 6'7" slot WR who is nails in the red zone. Paul Richardson is soft. So what? He runs great routes and is difficult to defend inside 15 yards. Bryan Walters and Ricardo Lockette? Not exactly the most physical WRs ever.
Having a couple of soft weapons on our offense isn't going to change the fact that Seattle is still the league's premiere smashmouth team. As long as we have Lynch, as long as we have Cable, and as long as we have the LOB, our team will be the baddest team around. Jimmy Graham won't change that.
Jimmy Graham is not going to be able to replace Zach Miller's blocking ability, but until the offseason is over, we should withhold judgement. Maybe Seattle views Graham as more of a slot WR than an inline guy? Maybe the Hawks still plan to bring in a blocking TE. Maybe Miller comes back for less money.
A lot of people here wonder about usage. While it's true that Graham probably won't post 1215 or 1310 receiving yards, he might still end up with 9,10,11 TDs. In 2013 this guy had 16 TDs. Sixteen! Pete has long searched for his touchdown maker in the passing game. Well, he just got one.
And regarding usage in Seattle, remember that in 2014 Seattle made it their mission to get Percy Harvin ten touches a game. It didn't work out because Harvin is nuts and Bevell is under-qualified, but it was definitely the goal. Seattle didn't pay all that money and picks for Harvin to be an afterthought. It will be the same thing with Graham. Look for Seattle to get him the ball as much as they possibly can. Graham has had 85, 86, and 85 receptions the last three years. Expect Seattle to shoot for that number, and maybe make it to 75.
As far as what they gave up, I think it's such a good price that I wonder if the Saints are hiding something from us. Graham is worth way more than a #31 overall pick. He's worth more than twice that. Late 1st round picks generally suck, and the irony here is that Seattle receives a 4th round pick in the trade where they've actually had more success than they've had in the late 1st historically (even before PC/JS, the Hawks have sucked in the late 1st).
Now with regards to Unger. I like the guy, but he has been a shell of himself the last two seasons. Not only the injuries and the bad snaps, but he's struggled some against bigger nosetackles in the run game. He is still a good center when healthy, but he just can't stay healthy and he isn't cheap. I've thought for a while that Seattle was looking to replace him, and was half expecting Unger to be CUT by next offseason.
I was also very impressed by Patrick Lewis last year. Very dependable in the run game and wasn't beaten in protection nearly as much as I was expecting. Had good snaps too. The line calls will come with time. I think Seattle's willingness to deal Unger had a lot to do with how impressive Lewis was in 2014. LMJ (a free agent) has also looked like a fringe starter during his time here.
Unger was injured last year so this isn't fair, but I personally thought a healthy Lewis outplayed an injured Unger in 2014. Part of the reason I love this trade is because Seattle sold high on Unger when I think Unger's days in Seattle were likely numbered.
