Brandon Lloyd to St Louis Rams: Why Steven Jackson Benefits from Trade

NFL.com's Jason LaConfora has reported via Twitter that Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd is being dealt to the St. Louis Rams. 

What the Broncos will receive as compensation is still unknown. 

I know much of the discussion surrounding this trade will focus on what it means for Tim Tebow in Denver—what about Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson and the St. Louis Rams?

I think this instantly makes life easier for the Rams star running back. 

Jackson needs help at the wide receiver position to allow him to improve upon his 2010 Rookie of the Year campaign, and Brandon Lloyd is ideal. 

With a legitimate down field threat, team's can't load the box as often against the punishing running back.

St. Louis spent two picks on wide receivers in the 2010 draft; however, Austin Pettis and Greg Salas aren't ready to make an impact just yet.

Lloyd can be that possession receiver as well, and I expect Josh McDaniels to run more spread sets to create more space for his offense. 

More room to run for No. 39.

Look at how the Buffalo Bills' Fred Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles' LeSean McCoy have flourished running the football within a more spacious spread offense.

The acquisition of Lloyd obviously provides the Rams with more options aerially, but he takes some of the defensive game plan away from the I-form, power running back.

Not that there is anything wrong with the power running game—Jackson's been successful in that system his whole career; I just like the fact that St. Louis won't be as predictable. 

Jackson carried the ball 18 times for 96 yards against the Packers on Sunday, while Bradford accumulated 321 yards through the air. 

He faces a top-ranked run defense in the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, but with Lloyd in the lineup, you'll see more holes for Jackson in the running game the rest of the year.