Since his £215,000 summer move from Torquay, the former Scotland Under-21 international has scored just one first-team goal in 13 starts and 10 substitute appearances.
But Jewell points out that often Graham has been playing out of position on the right wing rather than in his favoured centre-forward role.
He said: "I feel a bit sorry for him because Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts have been dynamite for us this season up front.
"David has found it difficult to break in ahead of those two and when he has played up front, it has often been when we've put out a weakened team.
"Other times I've asked him to play out on the wing which isn't ideal for him, but fair play to him, he's got his head down and worked hard.
"He's an important part of our squad. Every player at this club is important to us and has a role to play over the coming matches."
Graham pressed his claims for a first-team run with a goal in the reserves' 2-1 win at Rotherham on Tuesday night.
Jewell, though, still feels that carrying only three strikers in the squad is insufficient as the promotion battle begins to reach boiling point.
Ellington is having to play at the moment wearing a harness to protect his shoulder injury, while Latics have also had to manage once already this term without Roberts because of suspension.
The manager wants more cover, hence his efforts over Christmas to sign Robbie Blake – who eventually went to Birmingham – and now his targeting of Akinbiyi and at least two other strikers.
"We could have players lose their form, pick up injuries or get suspended – anything could happen between now and May," reasoned Jewell. "We have David Graham but I also want to bring in another striker to give us that extra impetus and keep the lads already here on their toes.
"I'm trying to get the players to do whatever it takes on the pitch, while off it, I'm doing whatever it takes to help us get to where we want to be."
On the signings front, Jewell insists his transfer policy is designed more at the moment to help the club out of the Championship rather than with the Premiership in mind.
Jewell said: "When it comes to bringing people in, I think we have to play the division we're in and not look so far ahead.
"If you can show me a Premier League player I can get, great, but I'm in the job of getting us out of this division – so let's do that first.
"If we do get there, we will revalue the situation and would have to strengthen the squad quite a lot, which wouldn't surprise any player.
"But let's get there first. Let's not run before we can walk."
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