Reliving the High Moments of 2010: Brandon Lloyd Breaks Out

Lloyd makes a catch over cornerback Donald Washington #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

As we continue to relive the high moments of the Broncos 2010 season, we look back at receiver Brandon Lloyd’s extraordinary 2010 season.

Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd would go on to play for four different teams in a five year span.  When the Broncos signed Lloyd in 2009, he hadn’t started more than five games a season since 2006.  Never getting a legitimate chance to showcase his skills over a full season, Lloyd was not very well known among fans heading into last season.

In 2010, he would become a household name.

In week three against the Indianapolis Colts, Lloyd caught six passes for 169 yards and a score.  And that was just the beginning.  Over the course of the season, Lloyd would catch 77 passes for 1,448 yards (with an incredible 18.8 yards-per-catch average) and eleven touchdowns.

Week in and week out Bronco fans knew Lloyd would show up and play at a high level every game.  With a knack for going up to make acrobatic catches, Lloyd was a silver lining during a dark, dismal season.  The NFL’s leading receiver, Brandon Lloyd, also owned the best first-down-per catch percentage average (93.5%) while averaging 90.5 yards a game.

A menace to opposing teams’ secondaries, Lloyd was Denver’s primary vertical threat in 2010, catching nine passes of over 40 yards and twenty-three of 20 plus yards.  The ultimate offensive weapon, Lloyd was both productive and protective of the football.  Not once in 2010 did Lloyd fumble, someone not one of the other top receivers last season were able to do.

Brandon Lloyd’s 2010 season earned him a trip to Hawaii to play in the AFC, NFC Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro selection.

Our hats are tipped to Lloyd and we look forward to him contributing in Denver for years to come.