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If the words of Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht are any indication, don't expect the Philadelphia Eagles to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In an interview at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Licht revealed that the franchise is leaning towards keeping the pick.
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"All options are on the table as far as trading the pick or taking the pick," Licht said, via CSN Philly. "As of now, we’re probably leaning toward using the pick, but we’re going to let it play out."
The reason the Eagles would potentially be interested in trading up so high is to grab Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota. Philadelphia is reportedly going to try to do what it takes to get him. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently echoed this sentiment.
But the Eagles might not need to trade up that high to select Mariota. Recent reports have indicated the Buccaneers prefer Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith told reporters he's comfortable with making Winston the face of their franchise despite his off the field concerns.
The Tennessee Titans could prove to be a hurdle in Philadelphia's path. The Titans don't have a proven quarterback on their roster, and despite rumors that the team isn't interested in drafting a quarterback, Tennessee GM Ruston Webster and head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't give Zach Mettenberger a strong vote of confidence.
"I don't think that we're in a position to commit to anything," Webster said, via Birds 24/7. "We like the player. We like Zach. But I'm not ready to commit to anything, including who we're going to pick at Number Two."
SB Nation's Dan Kadar recently explored a trade scenario where the Eagles move up to No. 2 to get Mariota. Such a move would obviously involve a big trade package.
The 2015 NFL Draft is still a long way away but it seems like Winston is favored over Mariota at this point. To be determined if that changes.