NFL Rumors: Free-Agent Buzz, Latest on Eagles' Pursuit of Marcus Mariota Trade

The NFL rumor mill is still not quite in full gear, with free agency still a little ways away. However, there are some whispers out there about big names worth analyzing at the moment.

Even further off than the market opening for veteran players and the start of the league year is the first round of the draft, which commences April 30.

Speculation will persist about former Oregon and current Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly moving up to take his former quarterback, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. The reunion makes a lot of sense, but whether Philly can climb far enough from No. 20 overall is the big question.

Below is a closer examination of some key free-agent decisions some of the NFL's most prominent franchises have to make, along with a breakdown of the Eagles possibly landing Mariota.

Broncos to Tag Demaryius Thomas, Let Julius Thomas Walk?

If Peyton Manning does indeed return to play at a high level in 2015, he will have to count on the playmakers at his disposal. Thus, the Broncos must do what they can to retain Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas.

But given the huge salary demands of the unrelated pass-catchers, only one can likely stay in the Mile High City.

Demaryius Thomas seems like the most logical candidate to stay put. He has more years of production and hasn't been nagged by injuries like Julius Thomas has been. Mike Klis of The Denver Post has some key inside information from Sunday:

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Regardless of how overpowering Thomas may be on the field, the Broncos will catch him in the game of franchise tag Monday, and he will be "it" in a bargaining move that all but ensures the team of retaining their star wide receiver for the 2015 season.

Specifically, the Broncos are expected to use the "nonexclusive" tag on Thomas. The team could have used the "exclusive" tag that would have prohibited the player from negotiating with other NFL teams.

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So while other teams will have the free rein to negotiate with Demaryius Thomas, Denver would get huge compensation in return if he were to go elsewhere: two first-round picks. As good as Demaryius Thomas is, only a franchise QB is worth that type of price tag.

The NFL on ESPN nevertheless highlights just how prolific Thomas was in 2014 in the context of Denver's franchise history:

Klis speculates that Julius Thomas will be gone and that the Broncos will pursue free agents such as Charles Clay or Jordan Cameron or use their first-round pick on someone like Maxx Williams.

None of this news is particularly surprising, because it seems the more dependable Thomas will remain a Bronco. Having a truly great receiver at tight end is more of a luxury than a common commodity, and Manning has done fine with non-elite options in the past.

With the added emphasis Denver placed on running the ball at the end of 2014, it may behoove the Broncos to get a superior blocker at the position as it is.

Multiple Suitors Reportedly Coveting Mike Iupati

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

A huge part of the San Francisco 49ers' success in the Jim Harbaugh era was a ground-and-pound rushing attack that Iupati was instrumental in driving.

Now Harbaugh is gone, and the same could be true for Iupati as he hits free agency. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports that the 49ers will at least let their left guard test the waters:

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC Washington then reported that both Washington and Tampa Bay, who choose in the top five in the upcoming draft, are interested in acquiring Iupati:

Former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes weighed in on what Iupati brings to the gridiron in suggesting San Diego as a landing spot, via ProFootballTalk.com:

Both of the actual rumored teams in Washington and Tampa Bay make sense for Iupati as potential destinations. The Buccaneers ranked dead last in run-blocking last year, per Football Outsiders, while Washington was 31st in pass protection.

Iupati has thrived blocking for mobile quarterbacks in Alex Smith and, especially, Colin Kaepernick. The fit is logical considering Robert Griffin III is under center for the Redskins, and Iupati would make running back Alfred Morris' job between the tackles even easier.

If Tampa Bay opts to choose a QB with the top overall pick, it could stand to upgrade in the trenches to protect its prized investment. Few are better options in free agency than Iupati—if any at all.

Latest On Eagles' Prospective Trade for Marcus Mariota

Despite having a quarterback in Nick Foles who threw 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions in 2013, Kelly is reportedly keen to join forces with Mariota in the NFL.

PhillyVoice.com's Jimmy Kempski has heard some rumblings that hint at Philadelphia's efforts behind the scenes to make the Mariota marriage happen:

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Every day, with little things I hear, evidence continues to build that the Eagles are going to make a strong play for Marcus Mariota. To note, this is something I had previously thought to be unrealistic, so as bits of information have trickled in, they've been absorbed on my end with skepticism. But it appears the Eagles are determined to get their guy.

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The further Mariota falls in the draft, the more realistic he becomes as an option for the Eagles to trade up for. What Kelly has to be mindful of is the steep cost he'll incur by making such a bold move.

As Washington's front office can attest to, its decision to land Griffin in 2012 required multiple first-round picks and panned out to start, but it hasn't looked as good in the past two years.

Rotoworld's Josh Norris alludes to the unique improvising skills Mariota has in addition to his prototypical size, arm talent and a clean off-field record to go with his collegiate greatness:

There's little doubt Kelly's innovative offense, with which Mariota is quite familiar, would aid his transition to the pros. What has to be considered in the risky proposition is whether Kelly can continue to outsmart NFL defenses entering a pivotal third year at the helm.

Philadelphia has a great offensive line in place that still put up the third-most points in football in 2014 despite numerous injuries up front—without a mobile QB.

Someone with Mariota's athleticism and innate understanding of Kelly's system seems like an ideal fit. The potentially franchise-altering decision could backfire, but it could also be a home run that truly distinguishes the Eagles in what figures to continue being a tough NFC East in 2015 and beyond.