NY Jets Rumors: Making a Move for Mariota, Winston?

Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston are two of the biggest names in this year's NFL draft and if the New York Jets could have it their way, one of those players would be headed to New York.

The Jets, who managed to hire general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, still have to figure out how to fix their offense, particularly in the quarterback position. With Michael Vick headed into free agency and Geno Smith's inconsistent performance throughout this season, the Jets are in dire need of another quarterback.

Rumors are that the Jets will try and get Mariota, although that feat is highly unlikely, according to Brain Costello of the New York Post. The Jets currently have the sixth pick in this upcoming draft and would have to attempt to trade up in the NFL draft order.

Mariota is expected to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first round pick. If Mariota does get picked and the Jets fail to change their pick number, the Jets would most likely lose out on Winston as well with four other teams ahead of them.

The Jets do have other options as well if they do not want to stick with Smith.

The three top veterans that are expected to enter free agency are Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and Mark Sanchez. Other options could include Sam Bradford or Ryan Fitzpatrick if they get released from their respective teams.

On the Mariota front, rumors are that the Philadelphia Eagles will push hard to move up from pick 20 in order to get him.

"From No. 20, it's certainly not going to be easy," an Eagles source said reported by the New York Post. "It's probably going to take moving up twice to do it. There's going to be some wheeling and dealing involved ... Can it happen? I don't know. But they're going to try."

Eagles' head coach Chip Kelly recruited Mariota to Oregon and the coach only had good things to say about the young quarterback.

"When he was a freshman I knew he was going to win the Heisman. He has a gift for playing football," Kelly said according to Nj.com. "He is everything you could want. He can throw the ball, he can run. He is the most talented kid I coached in college.

A reunion would be ideal for Kelly and Mariota.