2012 NFL Free Agents: Analyzing Brandon Lloyd and Other WRs with New Homes

The bigger names like Vincent Jackson (who signed with Tampa Bay), Randy Moss (one-year in San Francisco) and Brandon Marshall (traded to Chicago) are at the forefront of discussing the impacts of new receivers in new cities.

Well, quite a few other receivers moved this offseason and are going to have a major impact in their own right as well.

Therefore, let's take a look at another wave of receivers that we'll see in new unis next fall.

Brandon Lloyd, Patriots

According to Shalise Manza-Young of the Boston Globe, the New England Patriots signed receiver Brandon Lloyd on Sunday:

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The Patriots continued to build through free agency Saturday, finally coming to terms with receiver Brandon Lloyd, according to a league source.

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This was a good move for New England because for a second time in less than two full seasons, Lloyd is reunited with Josh McDaniels.

After being the Broncos head coach for roughly one-and-a-half years, where Lloyd earned an All-Pro selection in 2010, the two first reunited for the final 11 games in St. Louis last season.

As for the Patriots, Lloyd is turning 31 years old before the 2012 season, so he's not young. However, Deion Branch will be 33 years old this summer and, according to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald, could see less time if re-signed:

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[Deion] Branch may also be in jeopardy of losing his spot, though he could be back on a team-friendly deal with a reduced role.

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Therefore, expect Lloyd to take over as Tom Brady's No. 1 receiver on the outside, with Wes Welker in the slot playing opposite tight end Rob Gronkowski. Include the versatile Aaron Hernandez, and New England's offense will keep rolling.

Laurent Robinson, Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally got a solid receiver, but they still need a true No. 1 guy.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal got done last week.

Now, although Robinson has had just one decent NFL season (2011), where he caught 54 passes for 858 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, the Jags need to get him a complement.

Robinson no doubt will help take pressure off Maurice Jones-Drew and the running game; however, he's not well-established enough yet to attract a consistent double-team.

Remember, the Cowboys also had other receivers in Dez Bryant and Miles Austin who, when on the field with Robinson, allowed him to get singled up more often than not.

With a new quarterback, head coach and offensive system, Robinson and the Jags need to select a receiver early in the draft. Whether it's Round 1 or 2, Jacksonville is putting the pieces together to contend in the AFC.

Mel Tucker's defense is going to remain elite against the pass and rush, so fielding an average offense is all that's needed. Provided that Robinson can keep his confidence going, the Jaguars are going to be one dangerous team in 2012.

Mario Manningham, 49ers

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York via Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have signed Mario Manningham:

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The former Giants receiver signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed.

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As mentioned in the intro, the 49ers also have veteran Randy Moss. Well, for at least one season these two will act as a solid receiving duo in the Bay Area.

Michael Crabtree is still developing as a consistently reliable target and could have a breakout season with Moss and Manningham deriving attention in coverage. Lest we forget about tight end Vernon Davis and running back Frank Gore; both of whom will draw attention from opposing defenses as well.

Manningham, however, could potentially have a career year after three consecutive solid season in New York. From 2009-2011, Manningham caught 156 passes for almost 2,300 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Now with the opportunity to really showcase his route-running, quickness and reliability, the final piece is quarterback Alex Smith. According to Janie McCauley of the Associated Press, Smith has come back to San Francisco:

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Quarterback Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms on a three-year contract that will pay him $8 million per season with $16.5 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday.

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With that, look out for the 'Niners in 2012.

Robert Meachem, Chargers

It was no surprise that the San Diego Chargers weren't able to re-sign Vincent Jackson. They have, however, added two solid receivers in Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal.

According to Bill Williamson of ESPN, Meachem became a member of the Bolts last week.

In addition, the Chargers added Royal not long after Meachem, according to Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune.

Both are interesting players, but San Diego now has an abundance of No. 2/slot receivers and no one who is a standout No. 1 guy. With others, like Patrick Crayton, Vincent Brown and Malcom Floyd, the Bolts can run four- or five-wide sets, but look for tight end Antonio Gates to be the main go-to target.

Meachem was never the No. 1 receiver in New Orleans—he was the product of an all-encompassed system where he contributed greatly as Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston forced defenses to play a lot of man coverage.

Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Chargers draft a receiver like Notre Dame's Michael Floyd or South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery. In order to get a potential No. 1 guy like that, though, it would be unlikely to see Crayton and Floyd (who's heading into a contract year) get re-signed.

And with Peyton Manning now in Denver, San Diego's offense better be even more explosive.

Pierre Garcon, Redskins

Regardless of who the Indianapolis Colts draft with the No. 1 overall selection, we know that the Washington Redskins are going to get either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.

Otherwise, why would the Redskins have made that big trade with the St. Louis Rams?

And much like the Chargers, Washington went out and added some solid receivers via free agency, even if the Redskins did overpay. According to Sports Illustrated via Joseph White of the Associated Press, Washington didn't waste any time once the new NFL year began:

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The Washington Redskins moved aggressively in the first minutes of free agency Tuesday to find some targets for Robert Griffin III, agreeing to terms with Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan

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Garcon and Morgan will be a good duo, but Morgan did miss most of the 2011 season, whereas Garcon had his best season with 947 yards on 70 receptions and six touchdowns.

Expectations have definitely increased in our nation's capital, and the pressure will be on a rookie quarterback and two receivers who are used to being role players. So, look for Washington to upgrade the running game with the remaining draft picks to field a more balanced offense.

John Rozum on Twitter.