Luke Floriea Emerges as Potential Roster Spot Stealer

In the NFL, there are always feel-good stories, and the Cleveland Browns have one emerging at the wide receiver position. Former Mentor High School standout and all-Ohio performer Luke Floriea has recorded three touchdowns in the preseason to turn heads, and at least make management think twice about how they can use him.

Floriea is a local kid from Northeast Ohio who stayed home and played his college football at nearby Kent State University. He spent most of the 2025 season on the practice squad, and he was inked to a reserve/futures contract back in early January, so he has a history with the organization.

Can Luke Floriea Steal a job From Another?

Floriea has gotten a long look from the Browns, playing in all three preseason games, and he has done a little bit of something in every game to date.

In the opening preseason game against the Chicago Bears, Floriea hauled in a 35-yard reception, the second-longest offensive play for the Browns in that 34-10 loss. In the second preseason game, he topped the charts with two receptions for 31 yards on four targets, including a touchdown from quarterback Shedeur Sanders on the opening drive.

He saved his best for last, however, as he finished Thursday’s preseason game against the New England Patriots with three receptions for 29 yards and two touchdowns on five targets, loudly making his case for a spot on the 53-man roster.

It’s uncertain if he’ll be able to crack the roster, but the logjam at receiver was cleared up slightly on Thursday, as it was reported that the team was waiving former 2023 fourth-round pick Cedric Tillman. That means young players like Floriea, Gage Larvadain, Kole Wilson, etc. moved up a peg in the pecking order.

It’s clear that veteran Jerry Jeudy, and rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, are the top three receivers on the roster. After that, things aren’t as crystal-clear. Malachi Corley is a tremendous return man, so he has that going for him, and Larvadain made his case in Thursday’s game with a team-best five grabs for 48 yards on six targets. Wilson even had a 29-yard highlight-reel play, while posting a 24-yard kickoff return.

The team might have to decide between the likes of Isaiah Bond, who did not play due to concussion, Tylan Wallace, who can return kicks and be used on offense, if needed, and Floriea, who has exceeded all expectations. It’s uncertain if the team could sneak him by on the practice squad. His standout performance on Thursday certainly draws a lot of attention for the local Northeast Ohio kid.