A high-level team source dismissed the latest blockbuster trade report involving the Eagles as just another draft rumor and said theres little chance the Eagles will move up to No. 4 in this years draft.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper reported Friday that the Eagles were among four teams that had spoken with the Browns about terms of a trade for the fourth pick in the draft, now just 12 days away.
The Eagles source said the team has spoken several times about numerous eventualities with the Browns as well as virtually every other team above and below them in the first round but said there isnt a likely scenario that would have the Eagles moving up 11 spots in the first round into the No. 4 spot.
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The Eagles have not had a top-10 draft pick since 2000, when they took Corey Simon with the sixth pick. They havent had a top-5 pick since 1999, when they drafted Donovan McNabb with the second pick.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and Browns general manager Tom Heckert worked together with the Eagles from 2001 through 2010 and are very good friends who speak to each other virtually every day.
The Eagles currently own the 15th pick in the first round and No. 46 and No. 51 in the second round.
According to the NFLs draft trade value chart, it would take all three of those picks to equal the fourth pick. The Eagles would likely have to include next years first-round pick as well as this years first-round pick in any deal for the fourth pick overall.
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The most likely object of the Eagles desires at No. 4 would be Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is considered the consensus third-best quarterback in the draft, behind Robert Griffin III of Baylor and Stanfords Andrew Luck.
The Eagles are known to be interested in drafting a young quarterback to groom behind Michael Vick, who turns 32 in June. But even though he was only a one-year starter in college, Tannehills stock has risen steadily over the past few weeks, and most draft projections agree there is little chance hell still be on the board after the Dolphins pick at No. 8 at the latest.
Other targets if the Eagles moved up to No. 4 could include Alabama running back Trent Richardson, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, Oklahoma wide receiver Justin Blackmon or Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd.
The Eagles are known for making draft-day trades. They made four during the 2008 draft, six during the 2009 draft, seven in 2010 and four in 2011. The Eagles and Browns have made several deals in recent years, including trades that sent Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong to the Browns, a draft-day trade of picks in 2010, a trade of running backs Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison during the 2010 season and a trade involving Brodrick Bunkley that was later rescinded.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com