NFL teams
Greg Garber, Senior Writer 9y

What if: LeSean McCoy to Raiders?

NFL, NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles

As the NFL's trading deadline -- Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. ET -- approaches, we explore four explosive, albeit unlikely, possible deals.

Proposed trade No. 3:

Eagles trade running back LeSean McCoy, linebacker Brandon Graham and 2015 second-round and fifth-round picks to the Oakland Raiders for their (potential No. 1 overall) 2015 first-round pick

"Geez," former Redskins and Texans general manager Charley Casserly said with a laugh. "Put that one out there. If they see it, they might actually do it."

Consider this from the Eagles' perspective. We know general manager Howie Roseman likes to make deals (he's done the second most in the league since his arrival in 2010), and head coach Chip Kelly has demonstrated a willingness to part with valuable offensive assets (see DeSean Jackson). Like Bill Belichick, Kelly passionately believes in the system, which is to say, himself.

Last year, Kelly worked minor miracles with quarterback Nick Foles (27 touchdowns passes, two interceptions), but despite Philadelphia's fast start this season, there have been unmistakable flaws in the guy operating under center. For example, he has thrown seven interceptions through the first six games of 2014. It's quite possible Kelly is ready to move on from Foles.

What if we created a scenario in which he would be reunited with his former college quarterback, Oregon's Marcus Mariota? Kelly to Foles: Duck!

After the bounty of 2013 talent at quarterback, draft experts are suggesting there are only two consensus first-round talents at signal-caller (both underclassmen): Florida State's Jameis Winston ... and Mariota.

The Raiders are in the driver's seat to produce the pick that delivers Mariota, who has already mastered Kelly's mind-melting, slash-and-burn offense. There is a leap of faith required here, even with Oakland the NFL's only winless team. The Jets, Buccaneers and Jaguars all reached Week 8 with a single win, but the Raiders' difficult remaining schedule -- two games each versus the Broncos and Chiefs, plus the Seahawks and 49ers -- leaves them with the best chance to land the top pick.

The Raiders need bodies. This deal brings them four, two of whom can help immediately.

McCoy's salary cap number for 2015 is a heady $11.9 million, but it drops to under $9 million in 2016 and under $8 million in 2017. And the Raiders have plenty of cap space in the coming seasons.

Although McCoy led the league in rushing in 2013, Kelly seemed comfortable with Darren Sproles playing late in the recent oh-so-close game against the Rams. Plus, there are whispers of friction between Kelly and McCoy. Graham, a former first-round pick, has never quite been the player the Eagles imagined. In the 2014 draft, the Eagles were sitting with the No. 22 overall pick but didn't pull the trigger on Johnny Manziel because they believed either he wasn't the answer or Foles was. There are legitimate doubts about the latter. The Eagles can negotiate a new deal with Foles after this season but might be unwilling to give him a stout long-term pact. Foles hasn't demonstrated an ability to run Kelly's zone-read, and Mariota would allow him to expand the offense to its fullest potential. That's a prospect that would make the Eagles even more dangerous.

The Raiders likely will have a new coach next year. If the personnel department feels Derek Carr is the answer at quarterback, improving the talent around him is the priority. This trade is the best way to do it.

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