Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman is hoping to enjoy a breakout year in 2024 as he enters his second season with the Cleveland Browns.
Tillman, a third round selection by the Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft, put up modest numbers as a rookie last fall, catching 21 passes for 224 yards while playing in 14 games.
The Browns are still high on Tillman despite his ups-and-downs as a rookie in 2023.
“The Browns liked what they saw of Tillman as a rookie, and actually wish they could’ve gotten him on the field sooner,” noted Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot earlier this offseason. “Despite his 6-3, 215-pound size, Tillman can play in the slot. He’ll need to get in his playbook even more this season, but I think he can take that big step in Year 2 that teams always look for.”
On Thursday, we saw why Cleveland is still high on the former Vol.
Tillman and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson connected for a smooth 40-yard touchdown in practice that drew some cheers from the crowd.
#Browns Deshaun Watson to Cedric Tillman for the long TD pass: pic.twitter.com/5RvyjCWxBe
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 1, 2024
Tennessee fans are certainly no stranger to seeing big plays from Tillman.
The Las Vegas native routinely made impressive grabs during his time with the Vols.
Many of those catches were because of Tillman’s elite body control.
Joe Milton’s first TD at Tennessee was a ridiculous catch by Cedric Tillman pic.twitter.com/neo3SdM4K9
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) January 31, 2023
Tillman appears poised for a breakout season after a rookie year that was spent adjusting to the NFL.