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How Eagles Can Get Mariota

Despite many commentators' opinions to the contrary, the Eagles have all the juice necessary to get Mariota at Pick 2 (assuming Tampa takes Winston). Here's how (all draft pick values are taken from Drafttek’s 2015 Draft Interactive Trade Chart):

Step 1- Trade Bradford and Ertz to Cleveland for Pick 12. The Browns have a real need for a QB and a TE. Their first round draft choice (Pick 12) is worth 1200 draft points. It is widely reported the Browns were willing to trade Pick 19 (worth 875 draft points) for Bradford. Ertz was drafted with Pick 35 worth 550 draft points and that seems still a fair value for him today. This gives the Browns a 225 draft point value premium which should be more than enough incentive to get the deal done. The biggest question mark for Step 1 is whether Bradford will sign an extension with the Browns.

Step 2- Trade Picks 12, 20, 52 and Brandon Boykin to the Titans for Pick 2 (worth 2600 points). Picks 12, 20 and 52 are worth 2430 draft points. Boykin was a fourth round pick but I would argue has played at a level equal to a mid to late second round pick. Consequently, I give Boykin a draft point value of 350 (equivalent to Pick 55 - the 23rd pick in the second round). Thus, Tennessee receives a total value of 2780 draft points for a premium of 180 draft points. A quality cornerback is probably the Titans greatest need on defense and Boykin fits that bill. They also need to give Mettenburger more weapons. Picks 12 and 20 could give them DeVante Parker and Melvin Gordon - and that’s a lot of firepower. Pick 55 could fill another need with a quality defensive lineman like Michael Bennett or Grady Jarett.

Alternative Step 2- If Tennessee won’t bite on Step 2 outlined above, here’s an alternative that should be even more attractive to the Titans. Trade Picks 12 and 20 and Fletcher Cox to the Titans for Picks 2 (worth 2600 points) and 66 (worth 260 points) for a total of 2860 points. Picks 12 and 20 are worth 2050 draft points. Fletcher Cox was drafted with Pick 12 worth 1200 points and has certainly lived up to that value, and probably more. Thus, Tennessee receives a total value of 3250 draft points for a premium of 390 draft points. The Titans badly need to shore up their D line and Cox would definitely do that.

I'm not advocating the Eagles make these trades. In fact, I hope the Eagles gamble on Bradford and keep their picks. Unlike this year, the 2016 draft is expected to be very deep with quality quarterbacks. If Bradford doesn’t pan out it should be easier (and cheaper) to draft a high quality quarterback next year. But, if Chip really believes Mariota is good enough to win multiple Super Bowls he definitely has the juice to go get Mariota while keeping all of the Eagles future picks and most of their picks this year.