Vernon Davis has said that Jimmy Graham deserves to be paid on the same scale as a wide receiver in the NFL.
The New Orleans Saints used their franchise tag to keep the tight end with the team for the 2014 season, but he has filed a grievance against the move, having played more snaps at the wide receiver position last season.
The San Francisco 49ers tight end told SportsCenter: "I think Jimmy Graham is trying to make an informed decision as far as his contract. He believes that he deserves more, and I believe that he deserves more.
"He's just a wonderful presence. He's a great player. He has a lot of potential to go above and beyond and just go further. He is one of those guys that is a part of that TE position that are changing the game, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, [Rob] Gronkowski.
"Those guys are some fantastic players. If it was me, if I was the owner of the team, I would give the kid everything he wants because he's that. If you're a guy who's catching a lot of passes and you possess some of the traits that wide receivers have, then yes, I agree. I think that he should get paid like a wide receiver."
Graham led the Saints in receiving yards in 2013 with 1,215 as well as 16 touchdowns.