The New Orleans Saints just picked up former Cleveland Browns third-round draft pick Cedric Tillman for their practice squad, and suddenly their wide receiver room is seven deep. This is a move that tells you a lot about where a player’s career stands when he’s looking for a fresh start.
From College Stardom to Draft Slide
Tillman, at 26 years old, had some serious highlight reels back in his college days at Tennessee. He arrived in 2018, just a year after Alvin Kamara turned pro, and really lit it up in Josh Heupel’s wide-open offense. We’re talking 64 catches for 1,081 yards and a ridiculous dozen touchdowns in 2021. He was prolific, absolutely blowing up. Then 2022 hit, an ankle injury derailed his season, and things took a step back. The Saints actually passed on him in the 2023 draft, grabbing running back Kendre Miller at No. 71 overall. Cleveland, though, snatched Tillman up just three picks later at No. 74.
The Brutal Truth About His NFL Numbers
Here’s where it gets real. Since entering the NFL, Tillman has been limited to just 38 of 51 possible games. Injuries and inconsistent play have been a massive problem. While his raw numbers might look decent on paper , 71 receptions for 833 yards and five touchdowns , there’s one stat that screams the struggle: he has yet to post a single 100-yard game in the NFL. Think about that. His per-game averages are 1.9 receptions and a measly 21.9 yards. Sure, some folks will point to the Browns’ “terrible quarterback situation” as the main culprit, but the source makes it clear: it’s not the whole story.
Can a Change of Scenery Spark Something?
Now, Tillman finds himself as one of three wideouts on the Saints’ practice squad, joining Trey Palmer and Jalen Moreno-Cropper. When you look at the top of their depth chart , guys like Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown , it’s gonna be incredibly tough for any practice squad receiver to see meaningful reps in Week 1. This move is a shot in the dark, a bet that a new environment can somehow unlock the college talent that’s been buried. For Tillman, this is about trying to resurrect an NFL career that hasn’t found its footing. The Saints are hoping for a miracle, but those numbers are a tough pill to swallow for a former third-rounder.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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