The Cleveland Browns drafted wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, using the No. 74 pick overall to nab the receiver out of the University of Tennessee. He ended up having three uneventful seasons, and the team reportedly will cut him, electing to go with a new batch of rookies and a mix of younger receivers.
It’s not much of a surprise, as the Browns drafted rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first and second rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, while they’ve paid good money to veteran Jerry Jeudy. The team also has a host of others who can easy pick up the meager production of Tillman, who was on the hot seat in training camp and the preseason.
Cedric Tillman Never Really Panned out
Ken Blaze - Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tillman will be cut, and the announcement comes before Thursday’s preseason final against the New England Patriots. He reportedly won’t even get one final chance to state his case. Tillman’s done in Cleveland after three very non-descript seasons.
Tillman’s most productive season came in 2024, securing 29 receptions on 49 targets across just 11 games in a season shortened due to nagging injuries. He still went on to produce 339 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while also losing a fumble.
In 2025, he worked with a handful of quarterbacks, from Joe Flacco to rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. There wasn’t a lot of stability under center for Tillman to really make any inroads, but that didn’t seem to bother rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who shined, regardless of whom was under center. Fellow wide receiver Jerry Jeudy still managed to post 50 receptions for 60 yards and 12.0 yards per grab, too.
The Browns have a cadre of young receivers like Boston, Concepcion and Isaiah Bond, who appears to be closer to a job. He was in concussion protocol, and also believed to be on the bubble, but he was good for 18 catches, 338 yards and 18.8 yards per reception in 2025, showing off solid downfield ability that the Browns apparently hope to see more of.
Cleveland also has other receivers who can not only play on offense, but contribute either on special teams, the return game, or, in some cases, both roles. Malachi Corley has made a name for himself in the return game, while Gage Larvadain is a tremendous special teams contributor.
The team also added Tylan Wallace from the Baltimore Ravens, and that’s a player first-year head coach Todd Monken is obviously very familiar with from their time together in the Charm City. It appears Wallace has beaten out Tillman, too. It helps to have friends in high places.
