Report: 49ers mulling signing veteran wideout Lloyd

Could Brandon Lloyd return to San Francisco? (USATSI)

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Although a number of teams reportedly showed interest in receiver Brandon Lloyd last season, the 10-year veteran didn't sign with anybody and took the year off from the league.

One of those teams still apparently might want to sign him, though.

That would be the 49ers, according to CSN Bay Area -- even though Lloyd hasn't played since 2012, where he recorded one of the most prolific seasons of his career (74 catches, 911 yards, four touchdowns) for the Patriots.

Actually, as he's entered his 30s, Lloyd has played the best football of his life, catching at least 70 passes in his past three seasons (he had never recorded more than 50 receptions in his seven previous seasons in the league).

But for whatever reason, Lloyd didn't sign with anybody last year.

If he signs with San Francisco, however, he likely would take over the No. 3 receiver spot behind Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree. Quinton Patton -- whose name has been linked to a sexual assault information report out of Miami -- is likely the No. 3 receiver for now, but Lloyd has a much better track record than Patton, a fourth-round pick last year who only recorded three catches in six games.

Lloyd was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 draft by the 49ers and spent the first three seasons of his career in San Francisco.

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WR Wayne nearing return for Colts



"I feel good, I'm ahead of schedule". Words that are music to the ears of Colts fans, coming from wide receiver Reggie Wayne. As reported by ESPN.com's Mike Wells, Wayne expects to be cleared for football activities on April 25. "I'm at the point where I'm tired of doing the same rehab stuff, to be honest with you. I'm excited to get back to football activities. I feel good."Wayne missed most of last season after tearing his ACL during the Colts Week 7 win against eventual AFC champion Denver. At the time of the injury, Wayne had 38 receptions for 508 yards and two touchdowns.



Reggie Wayne is a future hall of famer. He needs 97 more receptions and 1,015 yards to end up the Colts all-time leader in those two categories, passing Marvin Harrison. While not impossible, it will be hard to reach the receptions milestone in 2014. The yards are well within reach. Regardless, with 212 yards this season, Wayne will surpass Henry Ellard and crack the top 10 in all-time receiving yards. From a fantasy perspective, Wayne is a tough egg to crack for 2014. He's 35 years old. TY Hilton has emerged as a bona fide #1 WR, QB Andrew Luck's favorite target, and is a top tier WR2 in fantasy. They've also brought in Hakeem Nicks to give Luck another weapon to throw to. It's easy to doubt Wayne's outlook for 2014. However, some were doubting him heading into last year at age 34. At the time of his injury, Wayne was on pace for 87 catches and 1,161 yards. That would have ranked him in the top 16 in the league in both categories.I've got Wayne as a low-end WR3/high-end WR4. However, based on his track record of simply getting it done, he may be the first 35 year-old fantasy player to have the word, "upside" attached to him.With a healthy Wayne, Nicks, and Hilton, expect Luck to be a top five fantasy QB in 2014.