Eagles Draft Buzz Thread: 4/30


Photo courtesy of USA Today

Photo courtesy of USA Today

Between now and the draft, we’ll have daily threads with the latest mocks, buzz and relevant links. Check back throughout the day for updates.

7:30: Our official draft thread is up. All the updates through Round 1 will be posted over there.

6:49 p.m.: The latest on a potential deal with the Bucs.

5:35 p.m.: Another rumor from PFT: Are the Eagles trying to get to No. 1?

This sounds like it could potentially be a leak from the NovaCare Complex. Perhaps Chip and Ed want to get the word out to the Titans that if they don’t want to play ball, the Eagles have other options.

It would be an absolute stunner if the Bucs traded out and didn’t land Jameis Winston.

5:29 p.m.: From Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:

The key to putting the various pieces together could be the 12th overall pick, currently held by the Browns.

It would require the Eagles to strike a deal with the Browns, which would send Bradford to Cleveland and the 12th pick to Tennessee. Presumably, the Eagles would have to give up even more to Cleveland — and possibly would have to assume the contract of quarterback Johnny Manziel.

4:16 p.m.: Chip Kelly is apparently still working to get his guy.

4:04 p.m.: Adam Caplan offered a few notes on where things stand on 97.5 The Fanatic. Per Caplan, an Eagles trade to No. 2 “remains a long shot” but the Titans are open to moving the pick. We’ll see if Tennessee changes its demands as we get closer to 8 p.m.

12:52 p.m.: From Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean:

It sure feels like the Titans are trying to drive up the price for that pick. The thing is, I’m not sure Kelly would be willing to call their bluff.

12:46 p.m.: An update from Tennessee:

The Eagles can’t keep the Titans in the top half of the first round unless they acquire a top-16 pick in a separate trade (Sam Bradford?). Is this a deal-breaker for Webster? Is he trying to drive up the price?

12:15 p.m.: Chip Kelly is going to have to come with the thunder.

12:00 p.m.: A Tennessee perspective:

11:30 a.m.: Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the Eagles selecting Arizona State safety Damarious Randall with the No. 20 pick. He has the Titans picking Marcus Mariota, but adds:

Looking to trade out and gain additional choices for the reclamation project ahead, the Titans will have opportunities to deal. Can Eagles coach-GM Chip Kelly get up this high? Others certainly can and probably will.

10:30 a.m.: Interesting notes out of Cleveland.

Like this take by Jeff Darlington:

7:25 a.m.: This is the best thing the Eagles have going for them.

7:23 a.m.: No one’s safe this weekend.

My guess is the Eagles really want to try to hold onto Fletcher Cox. He’s 24, a game-wrecker and under contract for two more years. We’ll see if he’s still on the team come Sunday.

6:37 a.m.: Peter King of The MMQB now believes the Titans will either draft Marcus Mariota or deal the pick to the Eagles:

We’ll see today how far Kelly is willing to go to reunite with him. I believe Kelly will make a serious effort to acquire Mariota in the hours before the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET.

What a stunning turn of events it would be if the Eagles were to get him. Seven weeks ago, Kelly traded starting quarterback Nick Foles to St. Louis for a package that included quarterback Sam Bradford. To get the second pick in the draft, the Eagles would have to do one of two things: ship Bradford to Tennessee as part of the deal, or ship Bradford to Cleveland to get a first-round pick, which Kelly would then flip to Tennessee as part of a deal for Mariota. It would take two first-round picks plus something significant, most likely, to get the Oregon passer. Would the Eagles be willing to include their 2016 first-round pick? Or more?

6:33 a.m.: And this from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:

Per a league source, the Eagles are “doing all they can” to make the move from No. 20.

Presumably, they’re trying to get to No. 2, via a trade with the Titans. The persistent interest the Browns have in Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford coupled with Cleveland’s pair of first-round picks could allow the Eagles to pull this off without giving up too much.

Today’s the day. We’ll get an answer one way or another. But clearly, Chip Kelly is trying to make this thing happen.