Arbitrator rules Saints' Jimmy Graham will be tagged as tight end

Jimmy Graham will be franchise tagged as a tight end after the arbitrator in the case issued his ruling Wednesday. BRANDT: Jimmy Graham Plays Tag The

Jimmy Graham will be franchise tagged as a tight end after the arbitrator in the case issued his ruling Wednesday. 

The Jimmy Graham decision is out. Burbank has ruled he’s a tight end. The Saints have won

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 2, 2014

BRANDT: Jimmy Graham Plays Tag

The arbitrator's ruling is subject to appeal, though: 

Jimmy Graham can appeal the decision to a three-person panel, per the CBA. It's something for him to mull over now.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 2, 2014

In addition to his ability to appeal, Graham could also work out a long-term contract. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal says that the decision is likely just leverage for long-term contract talks.

If Graham accepts the franchise tag, he will earn just over $7 million dollars this season. If he were tagged as a wide receiver he would have made about $12 million. 

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Earlier this month, the NFL said that it would introduce Graham's Twitter bio, which lists himself as a tight end, as evidence in the hearing. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it factored into the ruling.