Jimmy Graham expected to hit free-agent market; could a Saints reunion be next?

For anyone hoping for a reunion between Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints, it seems there's a chance it could happen.

Graham is expected to part ways with the Seattle Seahawks when free agency begins on March 14, according to a Monday report by NFL Network.

And a source at the NFL combine told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune that Graham could be interested in returning to the Saints, noting there are no hard feelings lingering from the 2015 trade that sent Graham from New Orleans to Seattle.

Jimmy Graham and the #Seahawks are expected to part ways in free agency, and Graham will draw interest from a bunch of teams - including the #Saints, sources say. Reunion coming?
-- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2018

The Saints are in the market for tight end help as Coby Fleener has not been a consistent threat since joining the team in 2016. Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui both have significant roles in the offense, but are primarily blockers more than receivers.

The 31-year-old Graham didn't make the same impact in three years with the Seahawks as he did with the Saints, though injuries were partly to blame. A third-round pick in 2010, Graham became one of the top offensive playmakers in the NFL as he had four consecutive seasons (2011-14) with at least 889 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

His two best years with the Saints were in 2011 with 99 catches for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns and 2013 with 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Saints then traded him in March 2015 and got back center Max Unger and a 2015 first-round pick they used on linebacker Stephone Anthony. Unger has been a top-tier center since joining the Saints, but Anthony struggled after his rookie season and is now a backup with the Dolphins.

In Seattle, Graham's yardage output from 2015-17 was 605, 923 and 520, respectively. His touchdown output was two, six and 10, respectively.

When free agency begins March 14, we should know just how interested the Saints and Graham are in reuniting.

Meanwhile, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan already started recruiting Graham publicly on Twitter a few days ago.

Great times!! Only sayin... King of the air (drew) + the premiere pedigree posterizer (you) =makes even better times... Keep us in mind [?] [?] [?]
-- cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 3, 2018