VFL Cedric Tillman Making Name With Cleveland

Former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman continues to make plays and carve out a role with the Cleveland Browns during NFL preseason.

Former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman has completed two full preseason games with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns as a team are 1-1 so far this preseason, with a win in the Hall of Fame Game against the New York Jets and a loss this past Friday against the Washington Commanders. 

Tillman has seen action in both games in large part to injuries sustained in the Cleveland receiver room. Elijah Moore (ribs), Jaelon Darden (leg), and Marquise Goodwin (illness) are all knocked out due to injuries of some variety. Although not great news for the Browns, it helps Tillman get more touches to help prove himself. He has done so in the first two games. In the Hall of Fame Game, which resulted in a 21-16 Cleveland victory, the former Vol brought in 2 catches on three targets from Cleveland passers and had 35 yards, including a 20-yard catch. The other 15-yarder came on the game's first drive from quarterback Kellen Mond. 

Against the Commanders in week one of the preseason, Cleveland lost 17-15. But Tillman once again brought in two catches. Although he only totaled seven yards this time, there is a clear theme building. Granted, these are by no means breakout games for Tillman so far. But with all of the injuries happening in the Browns' wide receiver room, he will get way more opportunities. 

Tillman is also projected to be on the second line of Cleveland receivers behind Moore, Amari Cooper, and Donovan Peoples-Jones, according to their depth chart. The former Tennessee standout seems inching toward a significant role in due time. The Browns' next preseason game will be in Philadelphia against the Eagles on Thursday, with kickoff coming at 7:30 p.m. E.T. It will be intriguing to see if the touches going to Tillman keep up as the preseason continues. 

Cleveland Browns WR Cedric Tillman making a move against a New York Jets defender during the NFL preseason in Canton, Ohio, on August 3, 2023. (Photo by Ken Blaze of USA Today Sports)

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