With this year’s wide receiver free agent class being absolutely stacked, the Patriots could already be the front-runner for one of the top options. Brandon Lloyd has played 10 NFL seasons, and one of them stands above all the others. As a member of the 2010 Broncos under Josh McDaniels, Lloyd caught 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns — all career highs. The Rams then traded for Lloyd with McDaniels as their offensive coordinator last season, and Lloyd has been open about his desire to follow his favorite coach wherever he goes. McDaniels is returning to New England as offensive coordinator next season, so it is no mystery that Lloyd would love to land in Foxboro.
“I admire Coach Bill (Belichick), I admire Tom Brady, I admire how they run things over there,” Lloyd told CSNNE.com’s Tom E. Curran. “For any receiver to be considered to come in and play on the New England Patriots is gonna be excited just because of the history of success.
“Winning is definitely the highest priority. I’ve been in the league for 10 years now and I don’t look at the NFL as a place where I can horde money and get as much as I can because it’s the end of the world (at the end of his career).”
Translation: the Patriots will get a discount if they’re interested. Lloyd also praised McDaniels during the interview, saying that the two trust one another and that Josh treats him “like a true No. 1 receiver.” It should also be noted that Lloyd is a respected player and has never been known to cause problems in the locker room, so he would seemingly fit the “Patriot Way.” If Tom Brady wants a new weapon on the outside next season, it sounds like the team can give him one at a team-friendly price.
