The Browns drafted WR Cedric Tillman with the 74th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about the newest addition to the offense.
Size Matters
Tillman brings size to the Browns' receiver room. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he instantly becomes one of the tallest receivers on the Browns and brings a physical game the offense could use to elevate its passing options for QB Deshaun Watson. He's taller than Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Marquise Goodwin, and he used that size to be a productive receiver in his final two seasons at Tennessee.
Check out photos of Browns 2023 third round pick Cedric Tillman.
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) scores his third touchdown of the game ahead of Purdue cornerback Jamari Brown (7) in the second half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
FILE -Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Patriots made some bets on offense that didn't pan out in 2022 and are looking to this year's draft to help them make a course correction. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman, celebrates a touchdown reception in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Tennessee won 62-24.(AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman catches a touchdown pass against Purdue in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Alabama Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) makes a catch infant of Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Junior Year Breakout
Tillman's breakout year came as a junior in 2021 when he caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns, which led the Volunteers in receiving. He became the first Tennessee receiver to top 1,000 yards in a season since Justin Hunter in 2012 and ranked fifth in the SEC in receiving yards that year. Tillman also ranks in the top 10 in program history with 17 touchdown catches and holds the program record with seven consecutive games with a touchdown grab.
Tillman also caught 37 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns last year as a senior, but he missed six games due to receiving tightrope ankle surgery. Assistant GMs Glenn Cook and Catherine Raîche said the Browns "did our work" on the injury and feel good about his health heading into his rookie season.
Like Father Like Son
Tillman's dad, also named Cedric, also played in the NFL and played with QB Steve McNair at Alcorn State from 1988-91. He was picked in the 11th round by the Broncos in 1992 and played four seasons in the league.
Tillman said he's received plenty of advice from his father on playing in the pros.
"Just having someone who has done it at the highest level and him being able to coach me and help me out. Tough love at times but it's definitely needed and definitely has been huge in my success."
He Knows Another Big UT Alum
Tillman knows plenty about Jimmy Haslam, who is a Tennessee alum and, along with Dee Haslam, has completed several donations and made many appearances to the university. Tillman said he's seen Haslam at practice "quite a bit of times."
Plenty of Weapons
With the addition of Tillman, the Browns have given QB Deshaun Watson plenty of receiving weapons for his second season. The top of the depth chart now includes Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cedric Tillman, Marquise Goodwin and David Bell.
