Jets will trade first round pick to Eagles if Marcus Mariota falls to No. 6, per report

According to Kristian Dyer of Metro New York, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets could be trade partners if Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota falls to pick No. 6 in the 2015 NFL Draft.

"Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a highly-placed league source termed a potential marriage between Mariota , the Heisman and Maxwell Award winner after a stunning 2014 season, and the Jets as "highly unlikely." The source said that the Jets aren't in the mood to pick Mariota with their sixth pick and that if the Oregon quarterback is available, the "Jets will be shipping that pick away."

The likely landing spot?

"Philadelphia would make that move and pay that price. We're talking multiple picks and a player," the source said. "The Jets would be open to moving the pick and the Eagles have internally prepared to move up in the draft. There are contingencies in place and they know that Marcus is that perfect fit."

[...]

The source said with "100 percent certainty" that if Mariota is available at No. 6 it will be the Eagles, and not the Jets, who will be picking at that spot.

"The Eagles covet Marcus and rightly so. He's a great fit for their offense," the source said. "This could be a case where the Jets could cash in and would be willing to do so. Not quite Ricky Williams level but we're talking multiple picks and perhaps a player."

...

This report is noteworthy for a few reasons. It's pretty interesting that New York doesn't seem to have interest in Mariota. They're certainly in need of a quarterback given the struggles of Geno Smith.

It's also interesting how certain this source seems to be. Especially when it comes to this part: "...the Eagles have internally prepared to move up in the draft. There are contingencies in place...".

Speaking of, while not impossible, it's far from guaranteed Mariota will even fall to No. 6. The Eagles might have to trade up into the top five, and potentially high as No. 1 overall, to ensure they get their quarterback.

Recent reports indicate that the Eagles are "determined" to make a strong play for the Oregon quarterback. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently reportedly that NFL sources believe that "a trade with one of the teams with a high draft pick could be on the horizon."

Will that trade involve the Jets? Will that be high enough for Philadelphia? Or will the deal happen at all? Only time will tell.