A pair of former Tennessee Vols teammates were recently labeled by Sports Illustrated as players who could be traded before NFL training camps get underway later this summer.

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo named Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman and New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt as candidates to be traded before the 2026 NFL season begins.

“(Browns) General manager Andrew Berry achieved that (upgrading Cleveland’s WR room) by drafting KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston with top-40 picks,” wrote Melo. “They project as instant starters in 11 personnel opposite Jerry Jeudy. The Browns also have sophomore UDFA Isaiah Bond, who showed some promise as a rookie. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for Cedric Tillman, a 2023 third-round pick who has failed to meet expectations all while being set to enter a contract year.”

“Hyatt has struggled to get on the field consistently and still hasn’t scored an NFL touchdown despite already entering his contract year,” added Melo. “The New York Giants have a new coaching staff and decision-maker, drafted Malachi Fields, and even signed Darnell Mooney. Hyatt has probably worn out his welcome.”

Hyatt and Tillman played together at Tennessee from 2020 to 2022. Both players were third round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jalin Hyatt seems more likely to be traded than Cedric Tillman

Tillman hasn’t lived up to expectations in Cleveland, but he’s had a better start to his NFL career than Hyatt.

In 38 career games, Tillman, who has battled some injuries as a pro, has caught 71 passes for 833 yards and five touchdowns.

Hyatt, meanwhile, has caught 36 passes for 470 yards in 41 career games. The bulk of that production came during the South Carolina native’s rookie season (Hyatt has just 13 receptions for 97 yards over the last two seasons).

A new coaching staff in New York could be viewed as a positive for Hyatt, but that doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case.

John Harbaugh, who was hired as the Giants’ head coach this offseason after spending nearly two decades with the Baltimore Ravens, has made it clear that New York is interested in signing veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, which would seemingly make it even more likely that Hyatt is traded or released.

“Talked to Odell a lot, probably three of four times in the last week, [to see] where he’s at, where we’re at,” said Harbaugh on Saturday. “He’s in Arizona right now training and spending time with his son. The goal for right now is for him to train and get as ready as he can be. And then we’ll see where we’re at at that time.”

Hyatt obviously needs a fresh start. Tillman could probably use one, too.

Getting traded this offseason could be the best thing that happens to the former Vols teammates.