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Senior Bowl 2022 Rumors Thursday

Updated Feb. 3, 2022
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from around the league on Day 4 of the 2022 Senior Bowl week.

With two practices for each team in the books, here is a list of players who team sources say have helped themselves this week with good performances on the field.

Florida running back Dameon Pierce
Boston College guard Zion Johnson
Houston defensive end Logan Hall
Oklahoma guard Marquis Hayes

While teams scout the Senior Bowl, they are also looking ahead to free agency. Some teams have held free agency meetings while in Mobile and are forming plans. Every draft and free agency has strong positions, and NFL sources say that this year should have a strong class of free agent defensive backs. Those sources note that the safety class is very talented, led by Marcus Williams and Jesse Bates. Other quality safeties who could be available include Marcus Maye, Adrian Amos, Terrell Edmunds, Justin Reid, Malik Hooker, Eric Murray and Tracy Walker.

Teams feel that cornerback has some quality players as well, although not quite as good as at safety. For cornerbacks, the top of the class could be J.C. Jackson and Carlton Davis. After them, other quality starting cornerback include Donte Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, and Charvarius Ward. Some lower-priced potential starters include Anthony Averett, Darius Williams and Rasul Douglas.

NFL sources also believe this is a strong class of wide receiver free agents. They feel there could be some good values with the likes of Mike Williams, Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, Christian Kirk, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Michael Gallup, D.J. Chark, Will Fuller, Cedric Wilson and Russell Gage. Obviously, the crown jewel is Davante Adams, but he might get franchised and/or tie his future to Aaron Rodgers. Teams also feel there could be some quality under-the-radar signings like Lions wideouts Kaliff Raymond and Josh Reynolds.

A lot of the receivers in this group are coming of injury-plagued years or season-ending injuries that could make them cheaper but only result in 1-year commitments. Receivers returning from injury includes Godwin, Robinson, Chark, Fuller and Gallup. Each could be staring at a 1-year "prove it" contract with the hope of cashing in 2023 following a productive and healthy 2022 season.

League sources say they do not expect Tampa Bay to franchise Chris Godwin for the second consecutive year. That would be an expensive franchise tag, and executives believe the Buccaneers are more likely to franchise cornerback Carlton Davis if they use the tag this year.

Team sources with New Orleans say that they like a lot of the receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they may have to commit their first-round pick to acquiring a quarterback via selection or trade. If veteran left tackle Terron Armstead doesn't come back, left tackle would be a priority over receiver as well. Still, the Saints really want to add more speed to their receiving corps. New Orleans is interested in drawing on this strong free agent receiver class with a speed receiver on a 1-year "rental"/"prove it" contract. Some wideouts who could fit what New Orleans is looking for include Chris Godwin, D.J. Chark, Will Fuller and Michael Gallup. All are receivers with speed who are coming off injuries and could be forced to gamble on 1-year "prove it" deals.

Back in October, multiple NFL sources felt one of the best players in the 2022 NFL Draft could be Georgia edge rusher Adam Anderson. Anderson, however, was arrested during the season on a sexual-assault charge that he has vehemently denied. Anderson was suspended by Georgia, and he has been preparing for the NFL while waiting on the legal system. Some pro sources said, based on things they are hearing, they believe Anderson could end up being exonerated or seeing the charges dropped. If Anderson is cleared of any wrongdoing, he could get second-day consideration, according to team sources. While Anderson is a top-10 talent, teams are unlikely to be willing to take him in the first round given the allegation and the fact that he missed the back half of the 2021 season and the playoffs.

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