He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Lloyd also played for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots.

He was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten performer after his sophomore season in 2001, helping lead the Fighting Illini to a 10–2 record and a BCS berth in the 2002 Sugar Bowl against LSU.

"[4] Lloyd finished his college career having the second-most receiving yards (2,835) and touchdown catches (31) in Illinois history, and ranking third in all-time receptions (160).

Lloyd never made it out of Joe Gibbs' doghouse, due to a questionable attitude and alleged poor work ethic.

Citing the reason behind the move, Gibbs said that Lloyd had been told to remain behind in Washington as disciplinary action for missing important team meetings.

Lloyd would spend the latter part of the 2007 season on injured reserve after having snapped his collar bone while making a diving touchdown catch during team practice.

[14] On March 7, 2008, Lloyd signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears after the release of Muhsin Muhammad and the loss of Bernard Berrian to free agency.

The move reunited him with Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who was Lloyd's head coach at the University of Illinois.

Lloyd had a successful start to his career in Chicago, establishing himself as a favourite target of quarterback Kyle Orton, with 15 catches in his first four games.

In early April, Bears quarterback Kyle Orton was traded to the Denver Broncos in a deal involving Jay Cutler.

[18] During the Broncos' 24–20 loss to the Jets on October 17, Lloyd was subjected to a helmet-to-helmet tackle/hit by New York safety Jim Leonhard, resulting in a 15-yard penalty.

In 2008 his single "She All Mine" made the Billboard R&B chart, and his song "Heavy" was featured on the Spike TV show Blue Mountain State.

Quoted in a 2011 article, Lloyd said, "I have the guts to stand out and do something I'm passionate about, go against the grain and go against the conventional wisdom that the athlete-rap thing is unsuccessful.