discuss

Wow, you must get the pick from Twitter

Almost 6'4 213lb 4.54 40

Brad Stainbrook leaked the pick early because he is an ass clown.

Seems like he will be a replacement for either DPJ or Cooper in an ideal world.

You wonder if we wanted Hyatt

Bye Swartz ...

Has size, is physical but not a YAC guy (I googled him haha).

Bleh, WR depth with Adebawore on the board. Not a fan in the moment. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Well we dont like YAC haha so it makes sense

Giants screw the Browns initial pick? AB with no balls to move up?

Only guy, in list of 400 from CBs 2 weeks ago,
whom I accidently put started to put the star next to his name signifying a Browns pick, and
what do you know, he becomes their first pick of the, well since the draft opened.

I actually like him over Hyatt. But once we got Moore, Goodwin, and resigned Grant...I thought WR was far less of an issue versus many other areas. Just irked we didn't get Abebawore or Simpson...I want defense

Haha...These are two very different WR types.

That said, I think Schwartz already had one foot out of the door barring any injuries to the position group.

How do you know we even wanted Hyatt?

Why the F are we even drafting a WR???? that's our pressing need? WR won't help us when DWatson misses his 1st read and then takes off running like a chicken with his head cut off. This team is hard to root for

you would make a better, / more interesting newspaper article than we'll probably get, with that ^ 'imagined" narrative.

Wasted pick. We already traded for Moore. So, that's 2 picks for wr's.

Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook cites Tillman's size and toughness.

"He plays a brand of football we're trying to play."

Then don't ...

Thank God the Broncos took Mims, with his narrow stride, inability to separate or get off the line, imo. before Berry would, you know.

From Dane Brugler....

STRENGTHS: Big, sturdy athlete with above-average length ... uses his frame to shield and secure catches ... strong, well-timed hands (only five career drops) ... has
the body control to make adjustments downfield and the catch radius to attack throws away from his body ... physical demeanor vs. press and won’t get bullied off
his route path ... runs with the build-up acceleration to get on top of cornerbacks vertically ... tracks the deep ball well (16 receptions of 25-plus yards over the past
two seasons) ... can make the first man miss on screens ... has the body and play strength to knock back and beat up corners as a blocker ... caught a touchdown in
nine of his final 13 games at Tennessee.

WEAKNESSES: Inefficient at the top of routes and must tighten up his footwork/body movements ... has work-back instincts underneath, but his sink-and-react is
predictable ... ran a rudimentary route tree in the Tennessee offense and must develop a more detailed approach to it ... tends to lose his speed downfield and lacks a
top gear ... not elusive and averaged only 2.9 YAC per reception in 2022 ... his success rate in contested situations tends to be hit or miss ... only lined up on the right
side of the formation ... missed four games as a senior because of a left ankle injury (September 2022), which required tightrope surgery; also missed an additional
two games (to rest his ankle).

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Tennessee, Tillman was an outside receiver in head coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo, spread offense, lining up exclusively on the right
side of the formation. After a breakout junior season, his senior year was marred by an ankle injury, but he still finished top-10 all-time in Tennessee history in
touchdown catches (17) and holds the school record for consecutive games (seven) with a touchdown grab. Tillman has above-average hands with the catching range [55]
and body type to be effective on slants/stops/comebacks or when tracking downfield. He can open his stride and maintain his acceleration through the stem but lacks
the short-area quickness or detailed urgency to easily create separation. Overall, Tillman might be limited to a linear route tree, but he is a big target with the
acceleration, play strength and ball skills to exploit perimeter matchups. He has NFL starting traits as an X and should develop into a solid No. 2/3.

Tillman is a tall receiver with impressive route-running savvy, a big catch radius and strong hands. He does an excellent job tracking the deep ball and using his length to win 50-50 opportunities. He has a natural feel for contorting his body, timing his jumps and shielding defenders. Tillman picks up yards after the catch by making one quick move and dragging defensive backs for extra yards. -- Steve Muench

Matt Miller's NFL comp: DeVante Parker


He was Tennessee's #1 receiver over Hyatt until he got injured - and had a 1st Rd grade before the injury as well.

6'3 215. Big WR, good routes and good hands - also a bigger body for blocking in the run game. I'll take that over the 5'11 175 lbs Hyatt every day all things equal.

Cooper, DPJ, Tillman, Bell and Moore as the top 5 with Grant as a special teamer and Goodwin on the bubble. That's a reworked WR room and it needed it.

[social:tweet][/social]

So, do we have like 14 WRs on the roster now?

Most of (not all) of you posters are all over are rivals picks as great or fantastic, but we make one pick and it a disaster ... amazing GO BROWNS

I don't hate the pick. But would have gone a different route.
The DT from Northwestern or the TE from Georgia.

i liked the idea of Parker Washington the Wr out of Penn St later in the draft

I'll add those complaining about wanting Hyatt a pick earlier - we already got our "speedy, take the top off" WR in Moore. If he's all that and a bag of chips like everyone proclaimed when we traded for him, then you're perfectly fine passing on Hyatt and instead picking up a bigger WR in Tillman.

Berry is becoming the John Gruden for Wide Recievers.

I like having a guy named Cedric on the team, it’s old-school cool, and I’m glad we went the SEC rout.

Maybe he’ll be a TE hybrid, or a guy we’ll be patent with and develop.

I like the pick, I think he's a good player and he'll make the other WRs that much better by providing competition. There was only a couple of players I liked better one was RT Dawand Jones from OSU and the other was LB Trent Simpson from Clemson.

How do you know we didn't?

We have A LOT of WRs haha. Clearly we hated that room

Doesn’t matter now. We took Cedric, he was the top guy on our board (in the third round but still 😀

Do not like this...

not elusive and averaged only 2.9 YAC per reception in 2022.

It sounds like DPJ 2.0

Neither of you know. So the obviously correct opinion is to assume the worst and lambast the FO as a bunch of dolts. Obviously.

Our WR room was terrible. Literally terrible. And Elijah Moore doesn't change that fact. I'm good with it.

Berry surprisingly went outside their guardrails. Tillman is already 23 years old.

Blind and deaf mutes who can't spell football hated that room. It was that bad.

By 9 days!

It's not like our WR room is loaded, we have Cooper, Moore who is still a bit of an unknown, DPJ, a well traveled Marquise Goodwin and a bunch of unknowns.

DPJ was not that top of an athlete, now, I like him, DPJ, but,
I think you have a potential upgrade and if you continue to upgrade eventually some become tradeable.

I was hoping for Hyatt... but this kid is pretty good too... watched a couple of the UT games this year and liked this guy's size...

10 after tomorrow!

I can't speak for others, but I believe there's more pressing needs...especially that front 7 that was gashed weekly last year....In fact, our LB core is essentially the same as last year. And nearly all of us were saying that front 4 needs drastic changes, and nearly everyone was in agreement that LB core needs totally retooled. With more dire needs at DT, DE, LB, 3rd safety, OT, Nickel, RB...To be fair the DT class has been picked over in regards to positioning thus far. Hopefully there's a lot of D help, and it would have been ideal at #74 IMO, as Tillman is slotted to play behind the likes of Amari, DPJ, Moore, Goodwin, Grant, perhaps Bell....that's essentially a bench role, for as of now. I'm sure they have larger plans in 2024....When Amari's cap situation, they may let DPJ walk in FA, Goodwin and Grant will probably be gone as well.

We weren’t going to pick any player in the third round that would blow everyone away, I like the pick after reading about him.

You aren't wrong that we have a ton of holes still. Need lots of pieces. Sure would be nice if we actually had draft picks to address them. Alas we don't. And every time I bring it up (cough cough giving UP picks for Moore) I get booed off the thread. Well here ya go.

Browns suddenly can’t get enough receivers, check out their first pick in 2023 – Terry Pluto
Updated: Apr. 28, 2023, 10:35 p.m.|Published: Apr. 28, 2023, 10:27 p.m.


By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
BEREA, Ohio – The Browns traded for receiver Elijah Moore and signed veteran Marquise Goodwin to add some speed and zip to the offense.

When the Browns finally drafted Friday night, they took Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman with the 74th selection.

Tillman was picked in the third round, where only about 15% of all selections end up being NFL starters. About 40% become role players.

That’s why the Browns were willing to draft a player coming off an injury – who had been projected as a higher pick at the start of the 2022 season.

In 2021, Tillman caught 12 TD passes. He averaged 16.9 yards per catch. That’s the player the Browns are projecting in the NFL.

Last season, Tillman played only six games (37 catches, 11.3-yard average) before he suffered a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery. The Browns are confident he’ll be healthy.

The Browns didn’t simply draft for a position. They believe in Tillman because of his size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) and his ability to be a big target in the red zone.

“He plays a brand of football we’re tying to play,” said Browns Assistant GM Glenn Cook. “He’s a big, physical young man. It jumps out on film – the size and way he makes plays on defenders downfield.”

Here’s what Pro Football Focus wrote about Tillman: “Although an ankle injury has hampered his senior season, Cedric Tillman is back on the field and ready to show why he belongs in the top 50. A big, physical target at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he won’t be bullied off his route and shows smooth body control in and out of his breaks. His catch radius and athleticism are why he could be the first senior receiver drafted.”

Tillman spent five years at Tennessee. He is 23 years old. The Browns often draft younger players. That means they really like Tillman.

Let’s look at the key Cleveland receivers: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Goodwin and Moore.

They are loading up for Deshaun Watson, and also giving coach Kevin Stefanski more options to add some sizzle to the offense.


https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...heir-first-pick-in-2023-terry-pluto.html

Let's be honest, the WR room is Cooper, DPJ, Tillman, Bell, Moore, Grant and Goodwin now. I'd say Schwartz will be bagging groceries, but he'd probably drop them and run away from the shopping carts.

It's Cooper,
Moore,
and then this guy has a chance at 3 on the depth,
but he hasn't taken an NFL snap yet,
and DPJ knows a few things.

Bell may end up a good number 4, ...
and Woods, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a future trade getting a return for one of these leaving,
especially with Goodwyn around.
and Schwartz.
And Jakeem Grant too.

j/c,

I like what Tillman brings to our WR room ... I just thought that his age might be an obstacle ... I like him more than Hyatt who is more of a one trick pony.

pressure is on stefanski to create opportunities.

I think we still think about age, but the Covid year added a year to a lot of players college years.

Bottom line is we got a good receiver who if not for an injury his sr. year was on track to be a 1st round selection.

Moaners gonna moan.

Not sure when 23 has ever been a bad age, I know I would like 23 again. This young man reminds me a lot of Allen Robinson coming out of Penn St. very similar size and skill set. I remember watching him 2 years ago when nobody heard of Jaylin Hyatt, he was the #1 for a very good reason. He is the son of a former NFL receiver and it shows the way he wins and runs routes. Good pick, GO Browns

looking at the tea leaves, he’s the replacement for DPJ and/or cooper. We aren’t going to pay one or both of them another contract.

Let’s hope he develops into an NFL WR. He’s not a separating type WR and has no speed.

I think it funny that YAC is an issue w/ him.
YAC suffers when you catch it and are already in the end zone.
Also when you snag balls barely in bounds, or are twisted up like a pretzel to make a catch out of a badly thrown ball or are in thick traffic as your QB watches only you the whole play.
In the films I've seen his YAC appears to be fine, not outstanding but this is the third round, when he has an opportunity to actually use his skills.
The Man catches about anything thrown near him and isn't afraid to go head to head w/ defenders.

I would have gone D but hey maybe that's why I'm here at home not in the 'War Room'.

I agree. I was going to mention that Hyatt was the 2nd receiver for the Vols. Tillman was the #1. Living in Tennessee, I get all the news and it was all doom and gloom when Tillman was injured. Before Tillman was injured, he was widely mentioned as a 1st rounder. Maybe he would have, maybe he wouldn't, but he wouldn't have lasted to our pick so people should be very pumped about this pick.

Many Browns are so fickle it is funny. For the longest time it was all about our pitiful receivers. Now we didn't need one. LOL

I would have gone in a different direction because I see bigger holes and needs on D - but everything I see and read about this pick is very positive. I expect I'll like the player if he's anything close to as advertised - even if I don't like an extra WR here. Not sure which Browns have been talking about our pitiful WR - for the longest time they were supposed to be a strength that was being held back, I see Cooper, Moore & DPJ as a better trio than any others we've had in the last few years.

J/C:

The WR corp has changed dramatically in the past couple of months w/ Moore, Tillman, and Goodwin added. Although, I don't consider Goodwin a lock to make this team. It's next to nothing to cut him and he is 32.

Anyways, I'm intrigued by Tillman. I like his size and his instinct to go after the ball....I used the phrase "active pass catcher" in a DM earlier in the sense he is not afraid to go fight to get the ball rather than letting the ball come to him. I think he controls his body well. I think he is deceptively fast considering his size and can get some good separation.

I don't get all this talk about "need" or we shouldn't have picked a WR considering what we did in FA. This is EXACTLY what you want a FO to do when it comes to drafting players. Get a player you have graded commensurate with your pick. The grading process could be wrong (that's another issue) but don't draft a guy you have graded behind other guys just because it a overall position group weakness. At the time Tillman was selected, I'm not sure any D-Line player (specifically interior D-Line) was all that coveted at 74. Hell, people are saying Apu was a reach where we took him.

He reminded me of Michael Thomas when I was watching Tennessee's 2021 games. If his ankle injury doesn't linger, he could work out pretty well.

Sticking to your board is important. Not reaching for players based on need is important. There's a vertical and horizontal board - and all we got to do is hope we got it right. I've seen a few posters talk about Moore being an outside WR who has played there much more than the slot (although Berry/KS may have designs to move him to the Y), DPJ is an outside guy and Tillman looks to be a similar type WR. With picks like Schwartz and Bryant - I think Berry stuck to his board but got it wrong, or the guys have not worked out the way everyone hoped. As for other picks - there were viable LB worth a shot at #74. Daiyan Henley would have been a guy I would have been interested in.

But with all that said - I hope Tillman is the steal of the draft and becomes a star for the Browns.... And it's draft time people are going to love/hate and everything in between each of the Browns picks.

j/c...

Steve Smith on Cedric Tillman.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zCxoib9ng2Y

I like this pick. He makes contested catches and isn't bullied by press coverage. I don't think he will ever be a star, but I think he could be a dependable WR that makes tough catches for first downs and touchdowns.

Not sure, but I don't think it is permitted to have a positive opinion on this, or any Berry pick.

LOL...........I hear you, brother. It's depressing reading the constant negativity on this board. Hell, I think most of us don't know much about Tillman, but some are acting like Berry was stupid for making the pick. I've never even see Ika play and I bet most haven't, but they know he sucks.

Our "rivals" had first and second round picks. That means much higher rated players. There's nothing there to be confused about.

As far as the Tillman pick I like it. While some of the Browns WR's aren't little guys, they haven't shown what I see in Tillman. While he's not an overly physical type WR, he seems to do quite well in tight window, contested balls. He was plagued with injuries in 2022 but his 2021 tape is amazing and the QB play at Tennessee wasn't nearly as good in 2021 as it was in 2022. If he can put on a little weight he can be much more physical.

He and Hyatt are very different WR's. It seems as though the Browns wanted the type of WR Tillman is to fill out a role they see as missing.

Maybe the Browns began to learn their lesson from Schwartz. Speed doesn't mean squat if you can't catch the ball. This kid can catch the ball.

Ika wouldn't have been my pick, but he does have some heavy hands. I'd like him better if our track record of developing DTs was better. If he can play with more consistent leg drive and leverage, he could be a good one. Moves well for his size. Not sure I've seen someone like him use a pretty fluid spin move on the interior before. Here's hoping Schwartz is the DL guru he's made out to be.

Agreed. I noticed right after the Hyatt pick was announced we didn't waste anytime drafting Tillman. I think he was our choice right along.

I agree I believe Tillman was the pick all along. Tillman was the Vols #1 WR last year but he just got the injured with the dreaded high ankle sprain. His play reminds me of a past Browns great in Reggie Langehorne. Tillman is actually bigger than Reggie. 6'3 215 lbs. That is very good size and he has plenty of production in his college career.

What is just as funny are the Browns fans who will not criticize the Browns no matter what they do. Some of those same fans bitched about the Browns and their players when they didn’t like the owner or certain players. Such hypocrisy when we are still waiting for results from this group. Some posters can’t tolerate any criticism of the team without belittling people who have issues or don’t agree with every move. It’s weird and every bit as annoying as people who disagree with everything the team does.

That said, I have no issues with this draft. I think they did very well given the lack of picks. I’ve been waiting for a WR like this for a long time. I’m really looking forward to this year. My biggest concern is the strength of our division and the AFC overall.

So.........the Browns got Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman for their 2nd round pick. Sounds like a very good move to me.

Hahaha. Just realized that and was jumping back on here to type that same post.

I agree. You can find it many places. This thread is about WR, so I commented on that.

Very good indeed.

I continue to love the Moore pick up. He’s a great athlete and dynamic. Tillman … ehh, not so much. Hope I’m wrong. But 1 out of 2 ain’t bad.

This is something people who don't live in the area don't understand. Tillman was going into the 2022 season as the #1 WR for the Vols. If not for injuries he would have been. Anyone who questions his ability need only look at his 2021 stats. He brings a dimension to the WR room that was missing. That big, more physical presence that you can count on to get contested catches. The Browns seem to have learned a bit of a lesson from Schwartz. Playing the WR position isn't always about speed. Speed is something they have on the roster and you certainly need speed in your WR room. Getting a WR in the draft that is a reasonable facsimile of WR's you already have does nothing to increase variable WR skills. This was a great pick and huge value where they drafted him.

There is no such thing as the perfect FO. They all miss on draft picks. And the later in the draft a player is selected the higher the odds are you will miss on that selection. That's just how it is. But for me this pick shows they've learned from their mistakes and are improving. Overall I think they did a fine job with the picks they had. What more can anyone ask for?

j/c



Whether it's his ability to get separation or his ability to catch the contested balls this kid is a great WR.

Wow! Very good catch radius. Wins on the contested catches. Doesn't look slow to me.

This guy seems to love Tillman.


Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee | NFL Draft Scouting Report

He doesn't always get mentioned before his teammate Jalin Hyatt, but should Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman have more respect in the 2023 NFL Draft WR group?

Ian Cummings
By
Ian Cummings
April 27, 2023


He’s not even recognized as the best positional prospect on his own team, but perhaps Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman deserves more respect as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect. A 2022 season marred by injuries has sent Tillman back under the radar, but he has the tools to make a difference for an NFL team.

Cedric Tillman NFL Draft Profile
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Tennessee
Current Year: Redshirt Senior
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 213 pounds
Length: 32 3/4″
Hand: 10″

Football has always been a family affair for Tillman. His father, Cedric Cornell Tillman, played in the NFL in the 1990s. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Against the odds, Tillman Sr. carved out a respectable four-year career. Already, the younger Tillman is following that same path — but with his eyes on even greater heights.

Like his father, Tillman was overlooked at first. Despite racking up 37 catches for 774 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at football factory Bishop Gorman in Nevada, Tillman was a low three-star recruit in the 2018 class. He received few offers and ultimately signed with Tennessee.

Tillman redshirted as a freshman with the Volunteers. And across his first three seasons at Tennessee, he caught just eight total passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Tillman was expected to take on a greater role in 2021 after the departure of Josh Palmer, but no one anticipated the degree to which he would emerge.



Tillman quickly became the favorite target of new QB Hendon Hooker, and across 12 games in 2021, he amassed 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. He ended the year on an absolute tear, picking up 41 catches for 787 yards and nine scores in the final six games.

Unfortunately for Tillman, a lingering ankle injury limited him to just six total games in 2022. Rarely was he fully healthy, and that injury prevented him from sustaining his momentum from 2021. Nevertheless, Tillman put up a respectable 37-417-3 stat line in that six-game window.

Even so, Tillman’s lesser production in his final season has rendered him a relative afterthought in the 2023 WR class. But as more people look at Tillman’s 2021 tape and his highlights in 2022, the Tennessee WR is making his way back up the board.

Cedric Tillman Scouting Report
Despite the lacking production in 2022, Tillman provided plenty of reason for optimism when he was on the field. In a class that’s in dire straits when it comes to size, Tillman is a receiver prospect who fits the X mold perfectly.

Positives
At 6’3″, 213 pounds, Tillman has a strong, dense, and well-proportioned frame with great length. He also has solid functional athleticism for his size. The Tennessee WR brings great explosive capacity out of his stance, both vertically and laterally. He has the foot quickness to accelerate fairly well with runways. Especially in space, he opens up his strides and explodes upfield.

Going further, Tillman has good lateral quickness for his size. He can generate displacement with fast initial footwork. He’s not elite in this area yet, but Tillman noticeably improved his efficiency of motion as 2021 went on. Over time, he appeared lighter on his feet and more agile, and this carried over into 2022 when he was healthy.

Moreover, Tillman shows off definite twitch for his size when cutting his stems. He can generate sudden lateral movement and flashes the ability to float out of transitions and sink his hips suddenly on direction changes. While he could channel it more often, Tillman has solid explosiveness and agility, and his weight transfers are predominantly smooth.

Tillman’s NFL Combine performance helped confirm the athleticism that’s visible on tape. Tillman tested with exceptional explosiveness numbers at his size, recording a 37″ vertical and a 10’8″ broad jump. He also ran a 4.54 40-yard dash with a superb 1.53 10-yard split. His 40-yard speed is good, and with his long-strider athleticism, his 60-yard speed is even better.

Tillman has the size and athleticism to be a legitimate boundary weapon in the NFL, but an even more compelling part of his game is his hand strength and catching instincts. Tillman is very independent and composed in contested situations, and his ability at the catch point can easily translate to the next level.

Tillman can contort while tightly covered and still make accurate adjustments for passes. The Tennessee WR is very smooth rising to adjust for passes when coming back to the ball. He can make high-difficulty adjustments in stride and consistently gets his hands in the right place. Even more impressive, Tillman’s leverage adjustments are very quick, sometimes with little time to react. He has great hand/eye coordination and naturally flows to the ball to corral imprecise passes.

Downfield, Tillman has great ball-tracking ability and has shown to use diamond technique and catch the ball away from his frame. The Tennessee WR’s length allows him to extend far beyond his frame to secure throws, minimizing risk of disruption. Furthermore, he has the hand strength to haul in passes in tight spaces, even with the threat of immediate contact. Together, Tillman’s size, high-level hand strength, and instincts result in persisting reliability at the catch point.


While Tillman is a big-bodied receiver with natural instincts, his elite physicality is what truly makes him a force to be reckoned with. Tillman has an extremely physical edge and can scrape off DBs to compound separation. His long, strong frame allows him to outmuscle defenders, and he proactively fights jams, excelling at keeping himself clean. Tillman uses his length extremely well when imposing physicality and carving out space.

Going further, Tillman effectively supplements footwork on releases with one- and two-handed swipes and jabs. He uses swipes to attain desired leverage, whether inside or outside. On releases, he stays square with defenders and maintains synergy between his footwork and hand usage. Tillman can also tempo his releases to manipulate defenders, a skill he’s steadily improved at employing.

If you’re looking for a weakness in Tillman’s profile, you won’t find it with his route running. The Tennessee WR has surprising stopping ability for his size. He can stab a halt-step and quickly snap around on deep hitches and comebacks, while also bringing urgent energy on breaks.



Tillman’s able to press upfield with throttle control, then whisk his head back around. Overall, for his size, he’s a very nuanced separator, with the foot speed, hip sink, spatial awareness, and attention to detail to win against NFL CBs 1-on-1.

After the catch, Tillman has an aggressive demeanor. He’ll shoot his hands and fight to stay on his feet with stiff arms. His dense frame can absorb initial contact to a degree. He can also keep his legs churning through arm tackles, then quickly recollect his feet and accelerate upfield. Tillman isn’t fazed by opposing physicality and consistently finishes forward in RAC situations. He’s also able to reset his feet ahead of short passes to maximize RAC yards.

Finally, Tillman brings utility as a blocker as well. The Tennessee WR’s size affords him great natural ability as a blocker. He squares up defenders and fully extends to exert power. Moreover, he has the desired urgency and demeanor in the blocking phase. Tillman can channel force through blocks, but also understands leverage and drive DBs downfield. More often than not, he’s an assignment-sound blocker who can sustain blocks through plays.

Areas for Improvement
Tillman’s profile is surprisingly well-rounded, given his relative lack of buzz in the 2023 NFL Draft WR class. Even so, there are flaws and areas of improvement to note. While he’s a great athlete for his size, Tillman doesn’t quite have elite initial burst or long speed. His speed, while exceptional in the open field, is more of the build-up variety, and he works most effectively with a runway.

Tillman’s route-running projection is strong, but he’s still imperfect coming from Tennessee’s offense. Tillman occasionally plays too tall as a route runner and still has room to be a bit more consistent sinking his hips with efficiency. When he plays too upright, he hinders his ability to effectively sink his hips and manipulate space. Naturally, Tillman still has room to expand his route tree, although he does have the foot speed and physicality to hold his own against press.

There are times when Tillman times his extensions a bit too early at the catch point. He can let the ball roll off his hands and into his torso. While he’s a reliable contested threat, he’s not quite as consistent with defenders inside his frame. There are times downfield when he’ll give up positioning and fail to attack the ball, giving defenders opportunities underneath.

Finally, as a run blocker, Tillman doesn’t always generate power efficiently, which can impact his ability to maintain lanes for ball carriers.

Current Draft Projection for Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman
Tillman is incredibly high on my board at the WR position. For me, he’s a top-five WR prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft and worthy of top-50 consideration. He’s also ranked higher than his teammate Jalin Hyatt. With his testing, production, and size unique to the class, Tillman could go early Round 2, and he’d be a phenomenal value pick farther down the board.


Often with larger receivers, there’s a concern that they don’t have the requisite athleticism or route-running prowess to be more than contested-catch threats at the NFL level. That’s not the case with Tillman. His catching instincts are a big part of his game, but the Tennessee WR also has great functional athleticism and foot speed at 6’3″, 213 pounds.

Tillman is an explosive, streamlined athlete with great throttle control and solid hip flexibility, and he’s shown to use his traits to separate 1-on-1. He uses space well, presses upfield into stems, and uses his combined nuance and relentless physicality to peel off of defensive backs. When the ball comes his way, he’s incredibly proficient at making adjustments and brings physicality after the catch as well.



With his size, hand strength, and hyper-aggressive style, Tillman can be a handful for defenders on the boundary. But factor in his athletic profile and route-running ability, and he has the tools to be a true complete alpha X-receiver on the boundary. Stylistically, he brings shades of Michael Pittman Jr. — a Colts second-round pick in 2020, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2021.

Tillman’s late breakout could cause hesitance for some, as could his injury history. And while he’s a great route runner, he still has room to keep improving there. But regardless, as long as Tillman can stay healthy and hover near 100%, he has the tools to be an impact starter on the boundary in the NFL.


https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cedric-tillman-wr-tennessee-nfl-draft-scouting-report-2023/

I would have taken Tillman over Hyatt, Jonathan Mingo, Jayden Reed, and Rashee Rice ... my only reservation was if we would select him at his age?

Cedric Tillman really took his game to another vs elite defenses
Like Georgia and Alabama. That's a huge plus. Schwartz and
DPJ could never do that at Michigan or Auburn
I think the drafting of Tillman will be needed competition for DPJ
DPJ has been handed a job and now he will have to earn it.
The additions of Tillman Moore and Goodwin might just
Take snaps away from DPJ.

You have to like reading this part about getting off the line.

While Tillman is a big-bodied receiver with natural instincts, his elite physicality is what truly makes him a force to be reckoned with. Tillman has an extremely physical edge and can scrape off DBs to compound separation. His long, strong frame allows him to outmuscle defenders, and he proactively fights jams, excelling at keeping himself clean. Tillman uses his length extremely well when imposing physicality and carving out space.

j/c,

Stat

In the 2021 season, when healthy, Cedric Tillman had a 72% contested catch %

Compared to Jonathan Mingo's (a player with simulator traits who went 35 selections earlier) 33% contested catch %

Tillman and Browns Offense from fantasy perspective.

The kid was one of the top ranked WRs coming into the 2022 season. He then got a bad injury to his ankle. Picking in the 3rd round for our first pick we swung for the fences. Nobody knows about these things. If you get a kid who will work hard and wants to be the best player then you have a shot. He has talent. Run good routes and catch the ball. He has excellent size for Red Zone miss matches. I'm sure the pick was not for need but for BPA. And it is incorrect by our Asst. GM its not you can't have enough WRs...it should be you can't have enough "GOOD" WRs.

jmho

That clip with Berry is now the common perspective: that we are going to be really passing the ball a lot. 4 and 5 wides.

hope he better than our '89 2nd round pick--Lawyer Tillman. Played '89,'92 and '93 with Browns with 36 receptions,636 rec yds,3 rec TD and 1 fumble TD in 32 games. Finished 4 yr career in '95 at Carolina.

I was gonna say the same things after watching that video, but you did it for me. Hoping Cedric will be one of the steals in the 2023 draft.

I think the 2.8 yac was in 2022, I am guessing that 2021 was better. From the highlights a TD in the end zone has no Yac.

But they will also use new Tight End Jordan Akins
Akins has this thing as a Tight End player, where, after he secures the catch he turns up field for the end zone.
It's amazing, it's the weirdest thing.

Had to try something and I love these guys with former players as parents. The family being structured around organized sports is a trait that cannot be measured.

YAC is somewhat of a foreign concept to our pass catchers

I think some of that sits with the QB. If a receiver has a step, but has to wait for the ball, YAC is going to be hard to attain. If he is hit in stride YAC isn't hard to attain.

Agreed, I would say our last two QBs were mostly station to station passers.

That could be the case. We’ll find out (I hope) that Watson makes us better in all regards