The cost for Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly to move up from the 20th pick in the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft to the second-overall selection will be exorbitant.
How exorbitant you ask?
According to Mark Eckel of NJ.com, the most recent trade discussions involving Kelly and the Tennessee Titans, who are currently in possession of that No. 2 pick, have centered on quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and the Eagles first-round pick, No. 20.
"That trade, which would be with the Tennessee Titans, owners of the No. 2 overall pick, and may also include the Cleveland Browns - but could work without them - is what was being discussed and dissected in some team's meetings Thursday," writes Eckel. "All 32 NFL teams have convened with the start of the draft one week away."
While the Browns would seem well-situated to simply go up and get Mariota for themselves - they hold the No. 12 and No. 19 picks - according to Eckel's report, at least one rumor currently being bandied about says that the Browns may be willing to deal for Bradford with that No. 19 pick instead, adding to the Eagles' potential draft ammunition.
"The Eagles would then send picks Nos. 19 and 20, along with Cox and Kendricks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 pick Philly would use to select Mariota," writes Eckel.
Of course, none of this will matter should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shock the world at take Mariota first-overall instead of former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston as has been widely presumed.
While the notion of the Eagles and Kelly being able to reach Mariota has been met with much derision in past weeks, the chorus of voices touting the possibility of the move has grown louder recently.
Even noted NFL insider, ESPN's Adam Schefter, said recently while appearing on an episode of 97.5 the Fanatic that his own thinking on the matter has changed.
"Count me in the camp that does consider (trading for Mariota) and option and a possibility," Schefter said, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. "And I was not in that camp a month ago but I've come over to that side."
In the end, the possibility of Kelly actually being able to reach Mariota is still distant, but the fact that rumors continue to swirl means that he's likely exhausting every avenue possible to see if a deal is there to be made.
