NFL Trade Rumors: Eddie Royal, Brandon Lloyd Could Bring Interesting Return For Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos apparently have more talent at wide receiver than most people realize. Then again, they're likely headed for a losing season anyway, so perhaps it's a way to maximize future draft value at a point where most teams will be reticent to give up on 2011 already. The rumor circling the NFL is that the Broncos have made two of their top wideouts available: Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal. Whether they'll deal both has yet to be determined, but it's certainly interesting for a team in need of an offensive playmaker for the upcoming stretch run.

Royal has to be the most intriguing for a team since he's still only 25 years old and, at one point, was one of the most heralded young receivers in football. Injuries have taken their toll and he's barely played this season, currently sitting out with a groin injury. Yet it's hard to deny the talent he displayed his rookie season in 2008 when he had 91 catches for 980 yards. Last season, he had 59 catches for 627 yards and three touchdowns.

Lloyd has a strong resume, however, as he led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,448. Of course, that number eclipses the sum total of the four seasons before that, so Lloyd has his detractors who wonder just how valuable the 30-year-old will be moving forward. However, he's leading the Broncos again in receiving yards this season (19 catches for 283 yards).

Lloyd and Royal are both only signed through the rest of this season. However, the Broncos are reportedly wanting a third round choice for Lloyd and it's likely the same or better for Royal. If there's this much smoke, I believe the Broncos will move just one of the receivers for a likely mid-round selection (likely Lloyd for a fourth) and at least have a better draft position next April.