Cedric Tillman, Cleveland’s 2023 third-round wide receiver pick, is officially getting released by the Browns this summer. This move comes after the team made some aggressive decisions to load up on offensive talent over their last two NFL Draft classes, making Tillman the “clear odd-man out” in a suddenly crowded wideout room. ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the news, confirming the Browns are letting go of the veteran WR.
New Blood Crowds the Room
Let’s be real, the Browns haven’t been shy about bringing in new weapons. In 2025, they picked up Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin, and Dylan Sampson, which was already a strong haul. Then, they really went for it in 2026, grabbing KC Concepcion in Round 1 and Denzel Boston in Round 2 specifically for their wide receiver corps. You throw those guys in with Jerry Jeudy and second-year WR Isaiah Bond, and suddenly that receiver room is looking *packed*. Schefter made it clear, “Cleveland spent two early 2026 draft picks on wide receivers, and now Tillman is out.” It’s a numbers game, and unfortunately for Tillman, the math just wasn’t adding up anymore.
Three Years, Five Touchdowns, and No Solid Ground
Tillman was the 74th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, and while he flashed some potential, he just never consistently put it all together. His rookie season in 2023 saw him play in 14 games, snagging 21 catches on 44 targets for a measly 224 yards and zero touchdowns. Things looked a little brighter in 2024, his best season, where he caught 29 of 49 targets for 339 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. But then 2025 hit, and despite getting a “much larger opportunity” as a starter in 13 games, his production dipped again: just 21 receptions on 39 targets for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
Over his entire three-season career with the Browns, the 26-year-old WR finished with only 71 receptions, 833 yards, and five touchdowns. Those numbers simply weren’t enough to secure his spot, especially with the team investing so heavily in new talent. It’s a tough break, but even with the inconsistent play, the upside is still there. Tillman is definitely going to find another landing spot, as some team out there will be willing to take a shot on that potential.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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