2012 Fantasy Football Busts: New England Patriots Wide Receiver Brandon Lloyd

Two years ago, Brandon Lloyd was considered one of the top wide receivers in the NFL after recording 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2010 season. While his numbers from the 2011 season (966 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a member of the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams) were some-what decent, Lloyd is one of those wide receivers that should be considered one of the top 2012 Fantasy Football Busts for the upcoming season.

Not only is Lloyd 31 years of age and entering his 10th NFL season in 2012, but he joins a New England Patriots team that is already loaded with talent in the passing game. Most quarterbacks are lucky to have one reliable target, but Tom Brady is lucky enough to have a stacked receiving core consisting of Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Deion Branch–who have all proven they have what it takes to step it up to be the No. 1 wideout if needed.

With this in mind, it seems unlikely that Lloyd will return to his dominant level from two years ago and make a huge impact from a fantasy perspective. Lloyd may put up big numbers from time-to-time, but he doesn’t seem like the type of wide receiver that will put up the type of numbers most fantasy owners look for in a No. 1 or No. 2 wideout on a consistent basis.

As crazy as it sounds–it seems like there’s just too many weapons on the Patriots’ offense for Lloyd to have a monstrous season in 2012 and return to the level he was playing at two years ago.