Mock Draft Roundup: Eagles Trade Up For Marcus Mariota

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With just 11 days left before the start of the 2015 NFL Draft, mock drafts are being updated all around the web. Everyone is talking to their “sources” and trying to get the most accurate idea of what each and every team is going to do when they’re on the clock. For the Philadelphia Eagles, the hottest take is having the team trade up for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Eagles trade twice to land Marcus Mariota – Will Brinson of CBSSports.com

Everyone is aware that Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is enamored with Mariota and he’s openly praised the former Duck to the media. But is a trade up really a viable option? In this first mock draft, from Will Brinson of CBSSports.com, he has the birds making two trades to get up to the second overall spot in the draft and select Kelly’s man crush, Mariota. Here’s how Brinson has the two deals going down:

"So let’s bring that deal back and have the Browns give the Eagles a first-round pick (No. 12) in exchange for Sam Bradford (Philly can throw in a third-round pick to expedite the deal maybe?). The Browns own No. 19 in this draft and have their new quarterback. The Eagles own No. 12, which Kelly promptly packages with No. overall and sends to the Titans in exchange to the rights for No. 2."

Then he goes into the actual selection where Philadelphia drafts Mariota, which doesn’t really need a breakdown. It’s as logical a fit as there gets in this year’s draft class. Mariota re-uniting with Kelly is a match made in heaven, as they say. The biggest knock on Mariota is his ability to play in a “pro style offense” where he will have to make multiple reads and go through his progressions. Well if he lands in Philadelphia, he’ll be playing in a college offense, as Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians would call it. Here’s Brinson’s explanation for the pick:

"2. Philadelphia Eagles (via MOCK TRADE with Tennessee Titans) — Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon — Chip gets his guy through some fancy draft-day finagling. It theoretically does cost him a lot in this draft if he has to pay an expediency tax to the Browns and Titans, but the thinking here is he loves Mariota enough to push hard once draft day rolls around."

Next: SI.com: Eagles select Landon Collins, S, Alabama