NFL Trade Rumors: 3 Best Suitors for Broncos' Eddie Royal

The Broncos are obviously dissatisfied with their veteran receivers. Reports have surfaced that Eddie Royal is now joining Brandon Lloyd on the trading block. The direction of the Broncos is so unclear right now, it has to be frustrating for fans of the team

Royal is a dual-purpose player who has had success as a receiver as well as a kick and punt returner. Here are the three teams who could use his services the most.

Carolina Panthers

Though they already have their sub-6'0" dynamo in Steve Smith, Royal would give them another dangerous run-after-the-catch option. As the Panthers look to the future, Royal could potentially be a slot receiver and they could look to the draft to add a player like Alshon Jeffery of South Carolina or Michael Floyd from Notre Dame to add size to the corp.

Royal would also be a special teams upgrade as well. The Panthers must be looking to the future and Royal is 25 years old.

Chicago Bears

The Bears don't need a kick returner, but they need any capable receiver they can get their hands on. Royal shouldn't command anything higher than a late fifth- or sixth-round pick. I think that is worth an immediate upgrade to one of your biggest positions of need.

Add to that this fact: In 2008, Royal caught 91 passes from Jay Cutler when the former was a 4500-yard passer. This makes sense—which is why the Bears probably won't pull the trigger.

New England Patriots

It may seem as though the Patriots have a plethora of receivers, they do, but many of them are on the older side of 30. Physically, Royal is similar to Deion Branch, though he's a little faster and more explosive. He also knows the Patriots' offensive system from his time under Josh McDaniels.

The Patriots have been good so long because they are proactive in filling holes before they become gaping ones. This would be that type of move.