The day NFL fans have been patiently waiting for since the confetti fell over the Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots has finally arrived. Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft begins Thursday night, and a handful of rumors are gaining steam as the clock draws nearer to the opening pick in Chicago.
Here’s a look at the five rumors picking up the most momentum pre-draft.
1. Philip Rivers to the Tennessee Titans
The supposed trade involving everyone’s favorite quarterback who sounds like a southern preacher is now unlikely to happen, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, as the Titans and San Diego Chargers couldn’t come to an agreement. Though aging, Rivers is still among the top-10 quarterbacks in the league. He’s set to become a free agent following the 2015 campaign, so this will be a situation to monitor during the first round. Since Rivers has already shot down any interest in signing an extension, the quarterback could still conceivably be on the move Thursday night.
2. Minnesota Vikings Shopping Adrian Peterson
Though the Minnesota front office seems adamant about keeping Peterson in purple for the remainder of his current deal, that doesn’t mean the team would not leap at the chance to deal its star running back should the right offer pop up. Teams with interest in Peterson include the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, though at the moment any Peterson trade would require a plethora of cap space if the back has no plans of restructuring his $86 million contract, per Spotrac, that will expire at the end of the 2017 season.
3. Sam Bradford to the Cleveland Browns
Peter King of SI.com’s MMQB reports Bradford’s potential departure from Philly in hopes of the team landing Marcus Mariota is still possible. In nearly any trade scenario, Bradford is dealt to the Browns for a first-round draft choice. This would enable Philadelphia to add a pick in their pursuit of the Oregon quarterback. Though Eagles coach Chip Kelly dealt for Bradford earlier this offseason, the quarterback was deemed a placeholder for Mariota—or at the very least, a stopgap at the position for 2015. Kelly has proved that any personnel move is possible with him at the helm, and a Bradford trade would be tame compared to his moves during free agency.
4. Eagles Moving Up for Mariota
As has been the narrative since the 2014 season ended, rumors are still circulating (h/t King, MMQB) that Philadelphia is doing all it can to move up for Mariota. We all know Kelly’s bond and desire to add Mariota to his roster, but the possibility of a trade hinges on what the Eagles are willing to give up. Players linked to the deal include the aforementioned Bradford, offensive lineman Evan Mathis, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, slot corner Brandon Boykin and defensive lineman Fletcher Cox. It has already been a wild offseason in Philadelphia, and a blockbuster trade of this caliber may have fans heading for the Walt Whitman bridge.
5. St. Louis Rams Trading Up
The Rams have been an interesting team on draft day the last few seasons, and 2015 could be no exception. Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report notes that St. Louis could be interested in trading up to land Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
5. Hearing the Rams could move up for Amari Cooper, and if they can’t move up, they could move back. Wildcard team.
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) April 30, 2015
After acquiring Nick Foles this offseason, the Rams will certainly look to add talent at receiver via the draft, and Cooper is one of the best available. Though St. Louis has also been linked to Mariota, Cooper would be a nice prize for a team lacking offensive firepower.