The Cleveland Browns made several moves during the NFL Draft, specifically in the wide receiver position, which leaves the future of Cedric Tillman in doubt. However, due to injuries and dealing with subpar quarterbacks, it might be beneficial for the Browns to trade Tillman to a new team before the 2026 season. Tillman joined the Browns in 2023 with hopes to turn into a No. 1 receiver threat, which was taken over by Jerry Jeudy for the majority of the past few years. Even Jeudy’s future is in doubt, as he’s been named a trade candidate as well.
The Browns selected KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in this year’s draft, who are likely to become the new receivers to help either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. As Tillman enters his contract year, Zac Jackson of The Athletic pointed out that obvious that the receiver is the “odd man out.”
“The arrivals of Concepcion and Boston leave wide receiver Cedric Tillman’s future in question ahead of the final year of his rookie contract,” Jackson wrote. “Concepcion figures to be a full-time player immediately as Monken figures out how to best deploy him, while the team hopes the 6-foot-4 Boston will compete for snaps and eventually become a reliable red zone target.”
Cedric Tillman
Main Photo: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Former Browns Third-Rounder Cedric Tillman Named Potential Trade Candidate
It’s self-explanatory for Cedric Tillman at this stage in his career. The receiver hasn’t been able to at least break 500 receiving yards in one season. To no fault of his own, Tillman is still a capable offensive threat that turns into a true WR3 slot fit for a team that needs one. He isn’t going to be a modern-day Randy Moss, but given his age and potential, he should be able to find a new home quickly if the Browns make him available.
Potential Landing Spots
Carolina Panthers
Cedric Tillman to the Carolina Panthers could make sense if the team trades Xavier Legette. The Panthers re-signed Jalen Coker to a tender, but QB Bryce Young needs more help in the aerial attack. If the Panthers want to have faith in Young consistently, where they can give him a long-term contract, they should put him in the best position possible. This is why they signed Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd as edge disruptors on defense to give Young the best field position, but it’s time to add another receiver.
The Panthers selected Chris Brazzell in this year’s draft, who could spell danger for Legette. If the team moves on from Legette, Tillman would be a solid replacement. Tetairoa McMillan, meanwhile, isn’t going anywhere as long as he has help behind him.
Indianapolis Colts
After being forced to trade Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh due to cap concerns, the Colts still have a hole in their receiving unit. The team signed Alec Pierce to a long-term deal, but he’s recovering from surgery. It might take time for him to get in rhythm in the first few weeks, so the Colts could be looking for help. Cedric Tillman joining the Colts wouldn’t bust the budget and would give Daniel Jones another playmaker to lean on other than Josh Downs.
Chicago Bears
After trading DJ Moore earlier this offseason to Buffalo, the Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson reunited with Kalif Raymond to give them some help as a return specialist and potential WR3. Chicago selected Zavion Thomas after being projected as a seventh-round pick, which means the faith is there. With that, it wouldn’t hurt for the Bears to roll the dice on Cedric Tillman to provide immediate insurance behind Luther Burden and Rome Odunze.