It's not clear yet, even this far along in the pre-2015 NFL Draft process, just what teams are enamored enough with former Oregon signal-caller Marcus Mariota to make a major move up later this month in order to nab him.
What is clear, per the latest report, is that if any of the teams - specifically the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers - rumored to be interested in acquiring Mariota are actually intent on pulling off a draft-day blockbuster; they'll have to go through the Cleveland Browns.
"After my interview with Bull and Fox I made further inquiries and can confirm both the Chargers and Eagles are exploring the possibility of maneuvering up for Mariota through the Browns and both teams have had conversations on the topic," reports Tony Pauline of Draft Insider. "This of course is contingent on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not selecting Mariota with the first pick, which is a greater possibility than many presently predict, as well as the Titans passing on the Heisman Trophy winner.
"A league source told me if the Titans are ready to deal the pick then the Browns hold the most powerful position in the draft and the ability to dictate whether they or another team make the move for Mariota."
With two first-round picks - No.'s 12 and 19 - the Browns have ample draft capital with which to do whatever they please.
Both Browns GM Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine have been evasive when discussing potential trade up scenarios for Mariota on their own behalf recently - each said something along the lines of; "Sure, why not?" - and both men have been adamant that trading quarterback Johnny Manziel is not a possibility.
Still, with a quarterback depth chart topped by veteran journeyman Josh McCown, who after a breakout season with the Chicago Bears in 2013 managed just 184 completions, 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and nine fumbles last season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Manziel, it's not hard to envision the Browns simply trading up and taking Mariota - should he be available - themselves.
The Chargers, at No. 17, don't have as far to go in order to reach Tennessee's No. 2-overall slot and would seem to have the edge on any of the other teams involved considering they can presumably dangle quarterback Philip Rivers as part of a trade package with the Titans - Tennessee head coach Ken Whisenhunt was, of course, Rivers' offensive coordinator with the Chargers at one time.
The Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly, currently sitting at No. 20, though, seem to have a fair amount of potential trade capital as well. Quarterback Sam Bradford could certainly be flipped to Cleveland - it was reported the Browns offered the Rams the 19th pick for him before he was dealt to the Eagles - though the question of whether or not he'd be willing to restructure/extend his deal with the Browns is allegedly an area of concern for Farmer.
The Eagles, as Jimmy Kempski of The Philly Voice notes, also have players like defensive end Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, defensive end Vinny Curry and cornerback Brandon Boykin - all leftovers from the Andy Reid regime - who could prove potentially alluring trade bait on draft night.
In the end, the 2015 NFL draft and the futures of several NFL franchises seem as though they'll be dictated by the decision-making of the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns, meaning April 30 is going to be one heck of a viewing experience for NFL fans everywhere.
