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It wasn’t just the New Orleans Saints who had a down year, tight end Jimmy Graham also struggled in 2012.

Jimmy Graham 300x199 Saints Jimmy Graham looks to bounce back in 2013To many others, finishing with 85 catches, 982 yards and nine touchdowns as a tight end would be a bright spot, but for Graham it was the surprising amount of dropped balls that hurt.

His career-high 15 drops comes on 100 targets of the dominant tight end. It was five more drops than any other tight end in the league, but he still led the Saints in catches.

Most of it can be blamed on numerous injuries he suffered during the year. He recently had surgery on his wrist which bothered him all season. He also had a dislocated ring finger towards the end of the season.

Graham triggered an escalator in his rookie contact which raises his 2013 salary from one of the most underpaid players in the league at $575,000 to $1.323 million as he will be a free agent in 2014. Rob Gronkowski was given $55.2 million by the Patriots and that should be in the ball park for Graham who in the last two season has caught 184 passes for 2,292 yards and 20 touchdowns.

With Sean Payton back and a healthy Jimmy Graham there is no reason we shouldn’t expect a major bounce back in 2013.

Saints Jimmy Graham looks to bounce back in 2013 - TPF

Cruize

His bad year is a career year for most.

TheGambler

I'm hoping his fantasy value is down somewhat so I can take him in the 3rd round this year

Rugby Saint II

I hope he's not one of those players that step it up in a contract year and then settle back into their rhythm. lol

Cruize

I understand he's a weapon and how he creates matchup problems down the middle for himself while freeing up the other guys for man to man situations elsewhere. But, he took ALOT of shots last year. I would like to see him run more outs, curls and crosses. They have to keep him healthy.

homerj07

I would like to see hi used where he takes less hits