NFL Trade Deadline: 5 Likeliest Landing Spots for Brandon Lloyd

With the NFL trade deadline arriving on Tuesday, one of the hottest names on the trading block is Broncos wideout Brandon Lloyd. The Denver Post reported that the team is actively shopping the Pro Bowl receiver, who has 19 catches for 283 yards on the season.

Where will Lloyd finish the 2011 season? Here are the five best bets:

5. Carolina Panthers

The Post notes Carolina as one of several teams in negotiations for Lloyd, though the team’s Twitter feed (citing coach Ron Rivera) claims otherwise. With Steve Smith as the only top-tier wide receiver for Cam Newton, it would make sense for the team to acquire another target, but they don’t exactly have a wealth of assets to offer in return.

4. Buffalo Bills

Donald Jones’ injury stretches a thin receiving corps even tighter. There’s no evidence as yet that Buffalo is actually pursuing Lloyd, but the Bills’ surprise emergence as a contender makes them a reasonable prospect as buyers at the deadline.

3. St. Louis Rams

The Rams didn’t need Danny Amendola going on IR to know that Sam Bradford has to have more effective pass catchers. Lloyd would be a great addition (especially since he played for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Denver last year), but as with Carolina, it’s hard to see what assets the Rams would be willing to part with to make the deal happen.

2. Tennessee Titans

The other team specifically mentioned in the Post’s rundown of interest in Lloyd, the Titans have been hurting at wideout since Kenny Britt went down. Like Buffalo, they’re a surprise contender who might be willing to give up some trade value for a player who could help them sneak into the playoffs.

1. Denver Broncos

Even considering last year’s league-leading performance, Lloyd isn’t exactly established as an elite receiving talent after several seasons of inconsistent play. The Broncos aren’t going to give him away for nothing, and the chances are good that no team will be willing to meet their asking price to get 10 games from a good-but-not-great player in his walk year.