2012 NFL Free Agents: Top 5 Destinations for Brandon Lloyd

There are five teams that need Brandon Lloyd.

The St. Louis Rams have decided not to use the franchise tag on Lloyd, leaving the door wide open for the rest of the league to purchase his services when free agency starts up March 13.

Lloyd may not be in the same class as guys like Dwayne Bowe or Mike Wallace, but he is still a solid option. His best quality is his propensity to come down with balls you thought he could never possibly catch. He's an acrobat of the first order and a lot of fun to watch.

Let's take a look at the five teams that would benefit most from signing Lloyd in 2012.

Arizona Cardinals

If Ken Whisenhunt finds himself a quarterback this summer, bringing in Brandon Lloyd would do wonders for Larry Fitzgerald and the entire Cardinals offense. 

I admit I'm not a guy that has watched every single Cardinals game this past season. I did see them twice when the San Francisco 49ers played them, and I can tell you Vic Fangio had Fitzgerald double- and sometimes triple-teamed in brackets. 

Fitzgerald and the 49ers ended the season at a draw. Fitzgerald broke them despite of all their attention in Week 14, when he caught seven passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, including a 53-yard bomb.

Lloyd is too good to be left alone in one-on-one coverage, and he would just abuse most teams' No. 2 cornerback in those situations. 

Bringing him in would force teams to be more balanced, giving oxygen to the dormant muscles of the Cardinals offensive unit. 

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are another team that could desperately use an upgrade at the No. 2 wide receiver position.

Andre Johnson essentially got the same treatment Larry Fitzgerald got in Arizona. No matter how good a guy may be, it is hard to succeed when two defenders are constantly draped over both sides of him.

Every great offense has had two or even three great receivers. Football is a team sport, and rarely to individuals succeed against better teams.

Matt Schaub will be healthy and stronger than ever for 2012. He has proven to be a top-level quarterback in this league, and he would greatly benefit from having a precise route-runner with sure hands like Lloyd.

The Texans should pursue Lloyd as soon as the bell rings for the start of free agency.

Baltimore Ravens

Lee Evans? Are you kidding me? 

Evans had the game-winner in his hands but he blew it at the most crucial moment when the season was on the line. 

I'm not trying to hate on Evans as a person. I don't know him. I do know that he has always had the physical talent to be a great receiver in the NFL, but somehow he could never get it done.

The Baltimore Ravens need someone with sure hands. Brandon Lloyd would be like Allstate.

Joe Flacco has struggled at times with accuracy, but he has also shown the ability to get into grooves with receivers he trusts. 

Lloyd would be a nice complement to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, as well. 

The Ravens would be smart to consider snagging Lloyd in free agency.

Chicago Bears

Alas! As fate would have it, Jay Cutler and Brandon Lloyd almost became teammates, but in a twist of fate, they were both moved to the opposite team in 2009. 

Perhaps this is the time their paths are meant to cross. All I know is that if Michael Floyd is still available and the Bears take him (like you see in every mock draft in the country), the Bears would suddenly be in amazing shape on offense with the addition of Lloyd.

Imagine a lineup of Lloyd, Floyd and Devin Hester. With Cutler's arm and a decent offensive line to protect him, the Bears offense could become one of the most lethal in the entire league.

New England Patriots

As good as the other options the other four have been, this one seems like a no-brainer. 

When asked in a recent interview about the possibility of taking his career and family to New England, Lloyd responded:

"

Yes, I find that very interesting. I would like to entertain that and see where that goes. There's no bones about that. I've been very successful in Josh McDaniels' offense, I really admire Tom Brady, I admire that organization and how they run things over there, so I'd definitely be interested in hearing how I could possibly fit into that equation.

"

I guess the only thing left to find out is if the Patriots are interested. We will soon find out. 

Free agency starts on March 13. Get ready for the whirlwind.

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