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Wide receiver Cedric Tillman is the latest Cleveland Browns player whose future with the franchise has cast a shadow over the upcoming regular season.
Tillman and the Browns are preparing for their preseason stretch, but the former third-round pick enters his final year with a different kind of tension building around his status.
During the 2024 season, Tillman showed flashes of a breakout campaign, racking up 330 yards in a highly productive five-game stretch before a season-ending concussion cut his progress short. This past season, however, he was relegated to a minor role player, and now, he appears deeply buried on Cleveland's depth chart.
The arrivals of rookie targets KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have further complicated the equation, leaving Tillman’s future in Cleveland highly in question.
“I would anticipate more of these types of trades happening in the NFL over the next 4-10 days as teams start working on shaping up their rosters,” NFL Insider Jordan Schultz tweeted on Tuesday.
We’re waiting for names like Cedric Tillman, James Conner, Sean Tucker, Devin Singletary, etc to potentially be out there
Will let you know if I find anything! https://t.co/iDx9PcyJeN
National media has quickly taken notice of the logjam
As Tillman enters this vital contract year, Zac Jackson of The Athletic pointed out the obvious: Tillman has become the undeniable “odd man out” in the Browns' plans. Currently, he is believed to be firmly on the trade block, receiving an 8 out of 10 on the league's trade meter, per Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton.
If Cleveland decides to pull the trigger on a deal, several intriguing landing spots present themselves.
Atlanta stands out immediately
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski previously coached Tillman in Cleveland and understands exactly what the physical, 6-foot-3 receiver can bring to an offense. A reunion in Atlanta would surprise no one.
The Houston Texans also represent a logical partner
Houston recently lost wide receiver Jaden Higgins to a torn ACL. Tillman brings a matching 6-foot-3 frame and valuable starting experience, having logged 10 starts for the Browns last year. While a trade wouldn't cost the Texans much draft capital, it would immediately fulfill their need for an experienced perimeter body to compete for a roster spot.
MORE: 3 teams that should make a trade for Shedeur Sanders
Seattle Seahawks could look to roll the dice on Tillman
The Seattle Seahawks could utilize Tillman in a more successful, less chaotic offensive system, while the Kansas City Chiefs - who surprisingly exited the 2026 draft without adding a major wide receiver (only added Cincinnati WR Cyrus Allen in the fifth round) - would represent a massive situational upgrade.
Carolina Panthers make sense
Additionally, a move to the Carolina Panthers makes sense if they decide to trade Xavier Legette.
Chicago and Miami look towards Tillman
The Chicago Bears could view Tillman as immediate roster insurance behind Luther Burden and Rome Odunze, and the Miami Dolphins - who have consistently gravitated toward size at the position - could benefit from the vertical threat Tillman displayed during his college career with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Ultimately, if Tillman isn't the one getting a one-way ticket out of Cleveland, the Browns' front office will have to ask themselves a tougher question: could it be Jerry Jeudy instead?
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