Philadelphia Eagles: Analyzing Latest NFL Draft Rumors and Reports
NFL draft week is finally here, and the buzz surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles is as strong as ever. After a an offseason filled with bold moves, there’s an expectation head coach Chip Kelly will continue to be aggressive in reshaping the roster to better fit his vision.
Naturally, that’s led to tons of rumors and speculation over the potential picks and trades coming in the days ahead. Who are the Eagles targeting in the draft? Will the team move up or down the order? Which veterans will be dangled as trade bait? How many new players or picks will arrive in swaps?
Fortunately, the wait is nearly over, and we’ll have answers soon enough. In the meantime, let’s check in on the latest reports floating around and analyze whether there’s any validity to the stories.
Chip Kelly Still Gunning for Marcus Mariota?
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The story that just won’t die. Reporters remain convinced the Eagles will do whatever it takes to move up in the draft to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, who played for Kelly at the University of Oregon.
Right now, most of the speculation has Philadelphia trying to make the leap from their pick at No. 20 all the way up to the Tennessee Titans' second overall. Many of the proposals also have the Cleveland Browns getting involved, with one of their two first-round picks aiding the Eagles’ cause.
At this point, there’s no way to cover all of the rumors, as there are far too many, but two of the latest should provide a glimpse of just how out of hand this is getting. Mark Eckel of NJ.com suggests the Eagles may have to deal quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive end Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and two first-round picks in a three-team deal with the Titans and Browns. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole adds the San Diego Chargers and signal-caller Philip Rivers could also jump in an even more convoluted exchange that ends with Mariota landing in Philly.
If you ask me, all of this is nonsense. Kelly himself admitted as much back in March at the NFL owners meetings, per Reuben Frank for CSNPhilly.com.
“Let’s dispel that right now,” Kelly said. “You guys have been going with that, but that stuff’s crazy.”
“Marcus is the best quarterback in the draft,” he said. “But we will never mortgage our future to go all the way to get someone like that.”
Kelly also claimed Bradford is not trade bait, and seeing as he’s a key ingredient in 99 percent of the proposed trades, that would seem to be a potential hang-up in any deal. Sure, head coaches aren’t always completely truthful when to speaking to the media about their plans, but Kelly has been very frank that Mariota to the Eagles is not happening.
No Extension for Sam Bradford?
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Adding fuel to the fire that Bradford could be on the move in a draft-day trade is the fact that nothing has been done about his contract. Bradford is entering the final year of his deal, but Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reports the Eagles have yet to hold meaningful discussions with the quarterback about an extension.
If the Eagles had any intention of trading Bradford at all, obviously it makes no sense to sign a new deal right now. Of course, Bradford isn’t exactly into signing at the moment, either, which is probably the bigger issue.
Why would he? As Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole points out, Bradford’s value isn’t exactly at its peak. He’s coming off of back-to-back season-ending ACL injuries and has just had a generally disappointing career in the NFL up to this point. What kind of low-ball offer do you think the Eagles would be willing to make?
However, if Bradford can stay healthy and put up numbers with a better supporting cast than he ever had as a member of the St. Louis Rams, and in Kelly’s prolific offense to boost, a huge payday looms next offseason. It only makes sense for him to wait.
In other words, don’t read too much into the lack of talks as far as a potential Mariota trade is concerned. That’s not to say Bradford couldn’t be moved on draft day, but the lack of movement on the contract front may have more do with his situation than anything the Eagles are planning on doing.
Dion Jordan Available?
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Mariota isn’t the only former Duck Kelly will have his eye on during draft weekend. In 2013, the Miami Dolphins traded up to select Dion Jordan third overall, one spot ahead of Philadelphia, where many suspected the Eagles would’ve taken the outside linebacker.
Now Jordan could once again be available, and for a fraction of the price. He has almost as many suspensions (two) as he does sacks (3.0) after two seasons in the NFL, and now after reportedly skipping voluntary workouts last week in Miami, many in the media are speculating he could be on the trade block.
Might the Eagles be in play as a destination? It’s a distinct possibility. While Jordan has been a disappointment to this point, he was also banged up and utilized improperly with the Dolphins, who play a 4-3. In Philly, he would switch from defensive end back to his natural position at linebacker.
Jordan wouldn’t necessarily be counted on to be a difference-maker here, either. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham are the clear-cut starters, although the defense could desperately use some help at the position.
For what it’s worth, the Eagles and Dolphins have been linked in trades all offseason. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald previously suggested the club might be interested in Birds cornerback Brandon Boykin. The Fins also denied a report of being interested in All-Pro guard Evan Mathis. We’ll see, but it’s not a stretch to think Kelly would still like to get his hands on Jordan.
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Eagles Not Interested in Landon Collins?
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Draft “experts” and even some members of the Philadelphia media believe the Eagles could take Landon Collins out of Alabama with the 20th overall pick. While safety is clearly the club’s most glaring need at the moment, there’s reason to believe Collins won’t be of interest there.
Sure, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay for ESPN.com both continue to insist Collins will be the pick there. However, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, Eagles general manager Ed Marynowitz hinted the consensus All-American is not exactly what the club is looking for. Here’s what he had to say about Collins’ coverage ability:
“He can do it, to a degree,” Marynowitz said. “I think all these guys have strengths and weaknesses. Landon has the potential to do that. Maybe not to the degree that some other guys do, but he certainly has the ability to do that.”
This is extremely important, and why you can’t always trust a national writer’s judgment on what a team needs. The Eagles primarily use their safeties in coverage, either man-to-man or single-high zone over the top. They don’t move their safeties into the box or use them frequently for run support, which is where Collins excels.
It's also worth noting the Eagles did not show any interest in the form of individual workouts or official pre-draft visits, despite doing so with numerous defensive backs.
So why would the Eagles draft a safety with their first-round pick who doesn’t fit their scheme? Chances are they will not. Kiper and McShay and so-called experts can keep touting that all the way up until the pick is in, but it seems highly unlikely Collins will wind up wearing midnight green to say the least.
Tim Tebow Not Long for Philadelphia?
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Mystery and intrigue followed Philadelphia's signing of Tim Tebow and what it meant for the Eagles' muddled quarterback situation. In all honesty, likely very little, if anything at all.
At least, that's how Mark Sanchez thinks of Tebow's presence on the roster. Jen Daniels of Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia caught up with the Birds' backup quarterback last week, and Sanchez didn't exactly offer a strong endorsement of his new and former teammate with the New York Jets. Apparently, Tebow is only around because Bradford isn't ready to fully participate in workouts and the Eagles needed another arm for practices.
Tebow's contract would certainly reflect a minimal commitment to the former first-round pick. According to Spotrac, he would earn a minimal dollar amount in 2015, none of which is guaranteed. In other words, the Eagles can cut Tebow at any time to absolutely no consequence.
Obviously Tebow is wildly popular among some fans, but his career 47.9 completion percentage is an abomination. NFL.com's Albert Breer reports Tebow fixed the wonky throwing motion that's partially to blame for his struggles as a passer, but it's unlikely he'll raise that mark to a point that's acceptable at this stage of his career.
Tebow may have a minimal shot at earning the third-string job, but only if the Eagles don't select a quarterback in the draft. And even then, Matt Barkley may still be a better option. Time will tell, but you may want to wait before rushing out to buy a new Tebow jersey.
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