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If the Eagles are hoping to trade up from No. 20 to the No. 2 overall pick to get Marcus Mariota, which certainly seems like the case, the Tennessee Titans are making it known it won't be cheap.
Titans telling teams inquiring about number 2 pick it's going to take a HUGEEEE value to pry it away
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 30, 2015
This isn't surprising. Jumping up 18 spots would be a big move for the Eagles.
However, a lot of these rumors regarding the Titans have a smokescreen kind of feel to them. I wrote about this yesterday:
"I can't help but think the Titans are behind all of these rumors. They so badly want someone to make a huge offer for their No. 2 pick. Their roster is depleted of talent and getting a team to supply them with a hoard of draft picks would greatly benefit them. Teams in pursuit of Mariota (the Eagles among them) can either succumb to the pressure or call the bluff."
Reports like this do nothing to convince me otherwise:
#Titans in a prime spot. #Eagles, #Browns & others have been in contact for the No. 2 pick. Worst case? They simply take their franchise QB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2015
How much do #Titans want for the number 2 pick? So much that it makes teams involved think they just want to take Marcus Mariota and be done
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2015
Look, either Mariota is the Titans' franchise quarterback or he's not. And if he is, why are the Titans even bothering to field offers (and/or shop the pick)?
I think Jimmy Kempski said it well:
Titans are the Octomom of the NFL. Milking their 15 minutes of fame for all it's worth.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 30, 2015
Titans employees hard at work, leaking interest in their pick to the media: pic.twitter.com/LHUwKN79l1
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 30, 2015
Certainly smarter than saying "Send us the most mediocre offer you can think of, please." https://t.co/RFySN5wtc9
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 30, 2015
It remains to be seen if/when someone calls the Titans' bluff.