In less than 24 hours, we’ll know whether the Eagles trade up to get quarterback Marcus Mariota. For now, we know they want to.
Per a league source, the Eagles are “doing all they can” to make the move from No. 20.
Presumably, they’re trying to get to No. 2, via a trade with the Titans. The persistent interest the Browns have in Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford coupled with Cleveland’s pair of first-round picks could allow the Eagles to pull this off without giving up too much.
Bradford, the 20th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Philly’s first-round pick in 2016, and maybe another second- or third-round pick could possibly get it done as a three-team deal, if the Eagles can get the No. 12 pick from Cleveland and deliver the 12th pick, the 20th pick, and a 2016 first-round pick to Tennessee. Perhaps the Browns would need Bradford and another second-round pick to give up the No. 12 pick. Maybe the Titans would want another third-round pick in addition to three first-round selections.
Regardless, the availability of Bradford and Cleveland’s well-established interest in him makes it easier for the Eagles to put together a package that doesn’t seem all that unreasonable.
Sure, Eagles coach Chip Kelly has said he won’t mortgage the future, but Kelly sees the draft as a crapshoot. He sees Mariota as a sure thing. Why shouldn’t Kelly do whatever he has to do to convert a collection of dice rolls for a sure thing?