Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 4

It took a considerable amount of time and a scoreless first half, but even amid Sunday's 38-17 loss in Dallas, New Orleans Saints superstars Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham produced for fantasy owners.

Brees connected with Graham on a 13-yard touchdown with 9:49 left in the game. Connecting on the score helped save what threatened to be a forgettable evening.

Name	PASS	YDS	TD/INT	Fantasy Points
Name	REC	YDS	TD	Fantasy Points
Drew Brees	32/44	340	2/1	19
Jimmy Graham	8	86	1	12

The dynamic passing game pair benefited from a pure statistics standpoint when the Saints spotted the Cowboys a 24-0 halftime lead at home. That is evident in the above final numbers. Therefore, neither Brees nor Graham should lose their statuses as respective QB1 and TE1 fantasy options.

While fantasy owners had to be pleased with Brees attempting an ambitious comeback effort, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco felt the stud signal-caller was perhaps being put in harm's way:

NFL Network's Michael Fabiano wasn't all that impressed with Graham:

That's despite the fact that Graham was targeted a game-high 11 times and caught eight balls, reaching the end zone for the third time in four games this year. He hasn't been targeted fewer than eight times in a 2014 game, so Graham is indispensable as an elite tight end fantasy option.

Considering the fact that there is a perception—a valid one at that—that Graham can improve, and with how prolific Brees has been over the years, it's no time to hit the panic button on either player. With regard to New Orleans' 1-3 start, it might be a different story.

If the Saints' struggles on defense persist, it will require Brees to air it out more often. With Graham as his No. 1 target, this duo is bound to post big fantasy points on a consistent basis.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Week 5 sees New Orleans play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who just had to rally in Pittsburgh for their first win of the season. Per ESPN.com, Tampa Bay was ranked 19th against opposing tight ends entering Week 4 before yielding 10 catches (11 targets), 85 yards and a TD to Steelers star Heath Miller.

That bodes well for both Brees and Graham as they seek to rally the Saints in a potential bounce-back eruption of offense next Sunday at the Superdome.