Philadelphia Eagles Going After Marcus Mariota?

Nov 8, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes the ball during the second half Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 51-27. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

It’s never too early to start talking about the NFL Draft these days. And the Philadelphia Eagles are not immune to this. There have been more than a few reports that Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman are pondering a way to trade up in next year’s NFL Draft and try to get Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota.

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In fact, there is a report by NFL Reporter Chase Goodbread on NFL.com discussing how the Philadelphia Eagles just might go about obtaining a high enough pick to select Mariota in the draft. Essentially, the Eagles would have to sell their soul to get it. It appears they will have a middle 20’s pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Goodbread event went so far as to get a quote from an un-named general manager.

"Moving up and mortgaging your future for a receiver does not make sense, but I’d do it for a quarterback, I don’t know if Mariota would be worth it, but he might be for Chip (Kelly) because the hardest part at quarterback is the learning curve. Mariota would be seamless in Philadelphia."

There are a few problems wrong with these rumors.

First, what in the world would the Eagles have to give up for that pick? How many future first round picks? Would Mariota even be worth it? His college stats are off the charts. In 2012 his rating is 163.2, 2013 it was 167.7 and so far this season it’s 184.6. Respectively, his interceptions are six, four and two. You see a trend? But sometimes great college quarterbacks don’t transfer well to the NFL. Kelly would know more than most if he could make it in the NFL. But I ask again, would it be worth the risk?

Second, IF the Eagles are interested in him about 20 other teams are probably interested also. If the Eagles make an offer for a high draft pick other teams are sure to try to up the ante. Though one general manager is willing to mortgage his team’s future for a great quarterback, I’m not sure Kelly or Roseman are willing to do that. In fact, judging by their recent off-season moves I would be willing to bet they are not even considering what others believe they should do.

Third, according to Kelly he has a system that doesn’t depend on a specific quarterback.

"Our offense is directed around our quarterback. You tell me who our quarterback is and I’ll tell you what our offense is going to be like. We can always cater to the skill of our quarterback. That’s the beauty of what we’re doing here."

So let’s put all the rumors to rest. There is no way Kelly and Company will trade away anything of value to get Mariota in the NFL Draft. If, by some crazy chance he drops in the draft sure the Eagles will take him. But we also know that will not happen either. Kelly has proven his system quarterback proof. In one and a half seasons and four quarterbacks he has a record of 17 – 8.

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