NFL Draft Rumors: Eagles to try moving up for Marcus Mariota

It's no secret that Chip Kelly loves Marcus Mariota, and now that the Philadelphia Eagles head coach has control of the draft and personnel he's in position to get him. Mainly, by moving up in the draft. According to Mark Eckel of NJ.com, the Eagles are going to try to do exactly that, though it's far from certain that they'll succeed.

"From No. 20, it's certainly not going to be easy," NJ.com quotes an anonymous source. "It's probably going to take moving up twice to do it. There's going to be some wheeling and dealing involved.''

The logical target for a trade up would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the number one pick, but that's far from an easy trade to orchestrate.

Why this makes sense

Chip Kelly loves Marcus Mariota, and he has the power to move up in the draft. While expensive, he may feel that finding that one franchise quarterback is all he needs to take his team to the next level. And while it's going to be expensive, there's a chance he doesn't even need to make it to the Bucs -- several reports have them preferring Jameis Winston, for now.

Why this doesn't make sense

Trading up in the first round is expensive. Trading up for a quarterback even more so. Trading up 20 spots for a franchise quarterback can cripple a franchise. It took Washington three number one picks and a second-rounder o get Robert Griffin III, and that was only a trade up of four spots.

Of course, the Eagles could throw in some other players to soften the cost in draft picks, but it's not going to be an easy trade to orchestrate. And if the Bucs love either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, they're not overly likely to even want to trade down.

Likelihood of this happening

I'd say 9/10 that the Eagles try to trade up, 2/10 that they succeed in trading up, and 1/10 that that trade up involves the Bucs.

Check out Bleeding Green Nation for the Eagles' side on this rumor.