The Browns went all in on the receiver position in the offseason, but the newfound depth resulted in the release of one recent draft pick.
The Cleveland Browns’ receiving corps was a weak point last season. The AFC North team recognized that and made adding pass catchers a priority in the 2026 offseason. Two of the team’s first three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft were used on receivers. The Browns took KC Concepcion 24th overall, and Denzel Boston was selected not long after with the 39th pick.
The moves significantly improve the outlook for Cleveland’s passing attack, which, for now, will be led with the recently crowned-as-starter Deshaun Watson. The quarterback beat out Shedeur Sanders, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Colorado product was promoted at some point this season.
Regardless of who is under center, Cleveland passers have to be happy about the added receiving depth. Concepcion and Boston’s presence meant there wasn’t room for Cedric Tillman, though. Adam Schefter reported that the Browns are releasing the receiver who was a third-round pick in 2023.
Tillman flashed potential through three seasons, but he struggled with consistency and injury problems. He racked up 132 catches for 833 yards before the rookie additions buried him down the depth chart.
In addition to Concepcion and Boston, the Browns still have Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Harold Fannin Jr. Jeudy is one of the best route runners in the NFL, and Bond went undrafted last year because of sexual assault accusations. However, he was expected to be drafted on Day 2, and he proved his talent with the Browns after the charges were dropped. Fannin is a tight end who broke out as a potential star last year. While he is listed at tight end, he often lines up in the slot, where he can use his big body and elite athleticism to create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
Tillman will surely be one of the top free agent targets of the victims of the cut-down period.
The Cleveland Browns’ receiving corps was a weak point last season. The AFC North team recognized that and made adding pass catchers a priority in the 2026 offseason. Two of the team’s first three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft were used on receivers. The Browns took KC Concepcion 24th overall, and Denzel Boston was selected not long after with the 39th pick.
