Arbitrator rules Jimmy Graham a tight end

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank has ruled that New Orleans Saints player Jimmy Graham should be considered a tight end and not a wide receiver.

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When the Saints placed a franchise tag on Graham, he argued that he should be paid as a wide receiver and not a tight end. A wide receiver that received a franchise tag would be paid $12.3 million a year, compared to a little over $7 million a year for a tight end, according to Fox Sports.

Burbank’s decision was concurrent with the Saints and NFL’s definition of Graham as a tight end. Burbank said modern NFL offenses line up tight ends all over the field and even though Graham lined up in the slot position or out wide 67 percent of the time he was on the field last year, he should be consider a tight end, according to ESPN.

In a statement, the NFLPA said it will review the decision and they will advise Graham on his options going forward.

Graham and the NFL Players Association have ten days to appeal the decision.

Graham leads the NFL in touchdown catches over the past three seasons with 36. In those three years he has averaged 90 receptions and 1,169 yards per year.