The Cleveland Browns did not address the wide receiver position during the 2025 NFL Draft but brought in a Pro Bowler and a return specialist. The front office signed Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Carter. Not going all out during the offseason means that the Browns have a ton of confidence in their receiving corps, led by Jerry Jeudy and a promising former third-round pick.
Cleveland Browns’ former third-round pick had a strong performance before an injury ended it
After a minimal offensive role in the first six games of his second season, Cedric Tillman exploded onto the scene following the Amari Cooper trade. He hauled in 24 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns from Weeks 7-11, averaging out to six receptions, 75.5 yards, and 0.8 touchdowns per game. Unfortunately, Tillman suffered a season-ending concussion in Week 12, the second of 2024, and finished with 29 receptions on 49 targets for 339 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games and six starts.
He has fully recovered and participated in spring workouts. The 6-foot-3 target looks to build on his heroics from Weeks 7 to 11 and serve as the number-two receiver behind Jerry Jeudy.
Cleveland Browns’ sleeper receiver is a breakout candidate by The Athletic
The Athletic had each of its writers who cover an NFL team list their breakout candidates for the 2025 season. Zac Jackson listed Cedric Tillman for the Cleveland Browns. Jackson points to Tillman’s heroics in the back-middle of the 2024 season, the front office not drafting any wide receivers, and his 6-foot-3 frame being an asset.
“Tillman’s surge in the back-middle of the 2024 season came out of nowhere. Not only had the Browns’ pass game been largely ineffective, but also Tillman was barely seeing snaps or targets early last season. When Jameis Winston took over and started throwing the ball downfield, Tillman became both a consistent target and a real threat,” Jackson said. “A concussion forced him to miss the end of last season, but Cleveland did not draft a receiver and has Tillman’s role as an outside wideout almost in ink, regardless of who wins the quarterback job. Tillman’s size is an asset, and he can complement the speedy Jerry Jeudy in the intermediate and vertical passing games.”
