The 2012 class of free agents in the NFL is rich with wide receiving talent. While some guys like Marques Colston and Vincent Jackson will go for millions and millions of dollars, it's a guy like Mario Manningham where a team typically finds the most value. The talented WR is looking at various clubs to potentially sign with this spring, including the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams.
There were vague reports that came in on Friday afternoon that Manningham was nearing a deal with the Rams, but those rumors have since been refuted. Here is the latest on the situation:
Rams source says reports of Manningham being close completely false.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) March 16, 2012
The appeal that comes along with St. Louis is the potential to become the immediate No. 1 option in the passing game for Sam Bradford, while Manningham would have to battle with Vernon Davis, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree and others in the Bay Area. If the 49ers were so somehow scoop up Peyton Manning, though, I would imagine that receivers from all over the country would be flocking to play in San Francisco.
Stay tuned, folks. There is a lot of smoke surrounding Manningham right now, but the situation should clear up soon.
For more on Manningham, the 49ers and their pursuit of Peyton, head over to Niners Nation.