Saints' Jimmy Graham officially declared a tight end by arbitrator
Arbitrator Stephen Burbank denied Jimmy Graham's request to be declared a wide receiver under the league's franchise-tag rules.
The NFL Player Association filed a grievance on behalf of Graham in May, arguing that he deserved to be designated as a wide receiver under the franchise tag.
Graham lined up in the slot or as a wideout on 67 percent of his on-field snaps last season, but Burbank agreed with the New Orleans Saints that the tight end position has always involved a number of different spots on the field.
The Saints will not be forced to offer the $12.132 million that comes along with a wide receiver franchise tag, and will instead maintain the tight end value of $7.053 million.
The deadline for signing franchised players to long-term deals is July 15. Graham also has 10 days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision.