If Marcus Mariota is still on the board at No. 6 overall on April 30, the New York Jets will trade that pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, a new report says.
There has long been speculation that the Eagles would try to trade up for the former Oregon Ducks quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner. One reporter even said Philly would “do whatever it takes” to land Mariota, who played under current Eagles head coach Chip Kelly when he began his college career at Eugene.
The most logical scenario has always been that the Jets and Eagles would swap picks as long as Mariota is available, and that’s what Metro sports writer Kristian Dyer reported Wednesday.
A source told Dyer it was “highly unlikely” that the Jets would draft Mariota at No. 6 and that they instead would trade the pick.
“Philadelphia would make that move and pay that price. We’re talking multiple picks and a player,” the source told Dyer. “The Jets would be open to moving the pick and the Eagles have internally prepared to move up in the draft. There are contingencies in place and they know that Marcus is that perfect fit.”
This goes along with everything we have been hearing in the lead up to the draft. The Buccaneers are currently expected to take Jameis Winston at No. 1 overall, while the Titans, Jags, Raiders and Redskins are unlikely to take QBs (one of their QBs even thinks he could beat out Winston or Mariota). The only issue is that knowing that the Eagles are prepared to trade with the Jets, some other team could try to leap frog them if they really want Mariota that badly. But, again, that is contingent upon a team wanting Mariota more than the Eagles do, which seems unlikely.
The Eagles have already had a bold offseason, highlighted by the trade of LeSean McCoy to Buffalo this week. With Kelly now having a bigger say in personnel decisions, don’t be surprised if he prevails and lands the quarterback he desires.
