Report: Chip Kelly already plotting to move up for Marcus Mariota

1/22/2015
Michael David Smith

AP

Eagles coach Chip Kelly frequently gushes publicly about his former Oregon Marcus Mariota, and according to one report, Kelly is already plotting privately to acquire Mariota in the NFL draft.

The Eagles have the 20th overall pick in the draft, and Mariota isn’t expected to be available by that point, but NJ.com reports that the team is already committed to trying to move up in the draft to acquire Mariota.

“From No. 20, it’s certainly not going to be easy,” an unnamed source told NJ.com. “It’s probably going to take moving up twice to do it. There’s going to be some wheeling and dealing involved. Can it happen? I don’t know. But they’re going to try.”

It’s way too early to say anything for certain about the draft. It’s possible that the Buccaneers will decide to use the first overall pick on Mariota, and that any other team’s interest in him is moot. It’s also possible that Mariota’s stock will tumble, and he’ll still be available at No. 20. And it’s possible that Kelly actually isn’t as in love with Mariota as he says publicly, and that the Eagles won’t draft him even if he gets the chance.

So take this one with a grain of salt. But also file it away for the future. As the draft gets closer, if it looks like the Bucs will pass on Mariota and there’s a trade to be made for a team moving up to get him, the Eagles might be that team. And Mariota and Kelly might reunite in the NFL.

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