The Cleveland Browns don’t employ many players on offense capable to grabbing headlines outside of the quarterback room, but that could change this season.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had a breakout year in 2024 after the team traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. Now, with Jeudy as the clear No. 1 in the position group, former third-round pick Cedric Tillman is about to get his chance to shine on the NFL stage.
Tillman is entering his third professional season and should be the No. 2 wideout and compete with tight end David Njoku for the second-most targets in the passing game, regardless of who the starting quarterback ends up being in Week 1 and beyond.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report on Saturday, July 5, dubbed Tillman Cleveland’s “most promising building block.”
“Last season, Cedric Tillman flashed when the Cleveland Browns needed a spark in the passing game,” Moton wrote. “In Cleveland’s first three games without Cooper, Tillman hauled in 21 of 32 targets for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Late in November, he suffered a concussion, and the team eventually placed him on injured reserve. … As a top target in the Browns’ aerial attack, Tillman could take a significant leap in production this year.”
Cedric Tillman’s Production Will Depend on Health, Role in Browns’ Offense
GettyWide receiver Cedric Tillman of the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland selected Tillman in the third round of the 2023 draft (No. 73 overall) out of Tennessee.
He will play next season at 25 years old, the third year of his four-year rookie contract worth $5.6 million total.
Tillman played in 14 games during his rookie campaign, starting three of those contests. He caught 21 passes for 224 receiving yards. Tillman finished last year with 29 catches for 339 yards and three TDs.
“Tillman remains best suited to play X receiver. His yards per route run have been the best against man coverage. In his career, he has a 68.6 receiving grade when lined up out wide and on the line of scrimmage compared to 50.6 out wide and off the line and 58.5 in the slot,” Nathan Jahnke of of Pro Football Focus wrote on June 18. “Tillman suffered a concussion in Week 12, which cost him the rest of the season. He had also suffered a concussion in Week 18 of 2023, so it was his second one in the calendar year.”
Cedric Tillman’s Success Next Season Tied to QB Competition
GettyQuarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland’s quarterback situation could definitely have an impact on how Tillman and the rest of the pass-catchers fare in the upcoming season.
Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett have the arm strength to succeed in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense, which Flacco has already proven based on his 4-1 run down the stretch of the 2023 campaign leading Cleveland to the postseason.
It is less certain how successful rookies Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel might be given their lack of experience at the NFL level. However, the Browns have more incentive to play Sanders and Gabriel if the season goes south early on given the team’s longterm questions at the QB position.
