The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly want Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft on Thursday night and the team could try to pull multiple move to make it happen, as the Cleveland Browns are interested in Sam Bradford and could trade a first round pick and that could give Chip Kelly enough ammo to trade with the Tennessee Titans for the number two overall pick.
The talk about Bradford, Mariota, the Eagles and the Browns has been swirling over the last month and now that the draft is hours away, Peter King writes that those deals are in play. According to the MMQB, King reports that Kelly covets Mariota and while a trade may not work out, the team will make an effort to try and acquire the quarterback. King also reports that the Browns are likely to make another run at Bradford on draft night.
Bradford has been coveted by the Browns all offseason and they reportedly offered a first round pick for the quarterback earlier in the year. The Eagles said that Bradford was not a trade chip after acquiring him for Nick Foles, but as the draft gets closer, the team could consider making a move. The Eagles likely would have to make multiple moves to move up to get Mariota, as they need more draft picks to trade with the Titans. A report from the NFL Network says that the Eagles could trade Fletcher Cox if they try to move up in the draft, describing him as "available".
Pro Football Talk wrote earlier in the offseason that a three way trade could be an option for the Browns, Eagles and Titans. The Browns would get Sam Bradford, the Eagles would get Mariota and the Titans would get a package of first round picks. Reports heading into the draft have the Titans taking offers on the pick and the most likely options appear to be the Eagles, Browns, Chargers and Chicago Bears.
The Chargers looked like a legitimate contender, but King writes that they are not willing to give up Philip Rivers. The Chargers likely need to give up a big package to get Mariota if they don't want to deal Rivers and that likely leaves them out. The Eagles have been connected with Mariota all offseason and while Kelly has said that the team will not "mortgage the future" for one player, the team could continue to look at making a deal to move up for Mariota.
Bradford is coming off of two knee surgeries and he has one year on his deal, which means he likely will get an extension wherever he ends up if he is traded. Bradford is a target for the Browns and Cleveland could look at trading for him over moving two first round picks for Mariota, which has been reported on as well. The Titans have had multiple offers, according to Pro Football Talk.
Bradford comes in after missing all of last season and in 2013 he missed half the year after suffering a knee injury. Bradford has not played a full season since 2012 and he last threw a pass in the 2013 season. Bradford was having a solid year when he was injured the last time, putting up 14 touchdowns and four picks while completing over 60 percent of his passes.
