Browns Release Cedric Tillman, Leaving 4 Receivers to Fight for 1 Final Spot

Q: Which surprise veteran release will become the most coveted target on the NFL waiver wire this week?

Noah Brown looks like the most coveted surprise veteran available this week. Among the names tied to the cutdown wave, Brown stands out because he is not really a developmental flier. He is a proven NFL receiver with 155 career catches for 2,083 yards and six touchdowns, and because he is a vested veteran, he is not a standard waiver-wire stash as much as an immediate free-agent target for teams needing depth. That matters: clubs with receiver injuries or thin back ends of the roster can sign him without waiting on a long runway of development. He also offers a more useful profile than many of the other released names. Ryan Miller was already claimed by Miami, so he is off the board. Josiah Deguara has special-teams and blocking value, but his market is narrower as a depth tight end. Cody Ford could draw interest because line depth is always in demand, yet his release feels more role-specific than Brown’s. Players like Trey Benson and Marte Mapu reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers, limiting their immediate appeal. Brown’s drawback is health. He reportedly was behind younger Raiders receivers and has missed significant time over the last two seasons. But that same risk is why he became available at all. For contenders that need an experienced outside receiver, Brown is the clearest plug-and-play veteran on the market, and likely the hottest target from this round of surprise releases.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 27

Cedric Tillman is expected to be off Cleveland's 53-man roster by Sunday, with the move surfacing hours before the Browns' preseason finale.
One receiver spot now appears open if Cleveland keeps 6 wideouts, with Casey Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond and Tyler Wallace viewed as near-locks.
Four players are competing for that last place: Cole Wilson, Luke Floria, Gage Larvadain and Malachi Corley, with special-teams value and versatility boosting their cases.
Tillman's exit was not seen as a major surprise after an uneven camp, lost time from another injury and added pressure from the Browns' newer draft picks.
The decision comes as NFL teams slash 90-man rosters to 53, making Thursday's finale a likely last audition for Cleveland's receiver bubble.