NFL Free Agency: Top Five Brandon Lloyd Destinations

Dec 10, 2012; Foxborough, MA USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

A man with decent speed and the ability to find the ball, make the adjustments needed to make a spectacular catch, is looking for a new team this off-season.

Last season he had the chance to play with future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady, where he started all 16 games, 74 receptions, 911 yards an 4 touchdowns. Being a part of a well balanced offense, those are good numbers considering the weapons that Tom Brady was given.

Now it doesn’t matter which team picks up Lloyd, either way it will be an upgrade because of his ability to make plays when targeted. The fact that he is 31 years old and been in the league for 11 years, he could come at a good price and could possibly become a #1 receiver depending on the team who brings him in.

Over his career, Lloyd has spent time with 6 teams (49ers, Redskins, Bears, Broncos, Rams, Patriots), being selected to only 1 pro bowl and named All-Pro 1 time. With almost 400 receptions, nearly 5,700 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns, he should be picked up sometime before the NFL Draft, which is only a month away.

So which Five teams in the league, should take a chance on this human highlight reel? Let’s begin with the #1 spot.

1. Chicago Bears – Johnny Knox retired, they released Dane Sanzenbacher (now a Bengal) and now Devin Hester is strictly their return man. They may select a wide-receiver in the draft, but bringing in Brandon Lloyd for a second stint with the organization would definitely pay off. Adding Lloyd would give Cutler another option if Marshall, Jeffery or the Bennett’s are covered and with an arm like that, i’m sure Brandon would be excited to put on a Chicago Bears uniform once again. Especially with an arm like Jay Cutlers and delivering the ball at the perfect time, in a perfect spot, as long as he has the protection he needs, could turn Brandon Lloyd into a pro bowler once again and help this offense become a power house.

2. Denver Broncos – Another place familiar to Brandon, which could possibly become home again. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos brought in Wes Welker, who we all know was Brandon Lloyd’s teammate over there for the New England Patriots, so those two together again would work out perfect for this offense. After adding Welker, it made them a Super Bowl favorite in my eyes and could only improve their chances by adding Brandon Lloyd to their already high powered offense.

3. Atlanta Falcons – A young high powered offense, lead by franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White (possibly Tony Gonzalez) and newest addition Steven Jackson. Should spread the ball out more evenly and give them insurance in case something happens to their #1 or #2 starter in White and Jones. Throwing Brandon Lloyd in a 3 wide out set with Matt Ryan under center, Julio Jones, Roddy White out wide and either Jackson or Rodgers in the backfield, sounds like a very dangerous combination and would work out beautifully for this team if they inked the veteran. He could possibly fit their budget, as the return of Tony Gonzalez being their top priority now that they found a replacement for Michael Turner. Other teams are improving, especially in this conference. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers bulked up, one being a team they barely got by, the other being the team that brought their Super Bowl hopes to an end.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers – If you are a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and say no to Brandon Lloyd being on your team, you are nuts. We have all seen what this man is capable of and could make this teams passing game better considering Mike Wallace exited Pittsburgh and took his talents to South Beach and joined the Miami Dolphins. So as long as Ben Roethlisberger stays healthy and has a guy like Brandon Lloyd running routes, it should spread the field out nicely as they look to become a threat once again in the AFC after finishing 8-8 last season.

5. Green Bay Packers – They lost Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings and Donald Driver to retirement. So they need some more pieces to this team, even though they are still a favorite in the NFC, just not as dangerous as they once were. So throwing a little money at a productive wide receiver like Brandon Lloyd wouldn’t be such a bad idea and could end up being targeted by Aaron Rodgers quite a few times a game. Right now they have Jordy Nelson (49 receptions, 745 yards, 7 touchdowns), Randall Cobb (80 receptions, 954 yards, 8 touchdowns), James Jones (58 receptions, 722 yards, 13 touchdowns) so adding a 4th (Lloyd) receiver with the ability to put up same numbers, should put this team in a good position to compete with the already favorited Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers when it comes to the NFC.