Browns Film Breakdown Morning Newsletter: 11/1/2024

Let's talk about Cedric Tillman's profile and projection since he decided to capitalize on his opportunity the last two weeks.

(Photo - Getty)

Somehow we are in November. Doesn’t make sense to me. I also feel like I repeat this sentiment every year. Strange. Anyway, welcome in on this fine Friday for your daily dose of Browns drivel. As we eye all the important roster moves in the future — we can’t help ourselves — we keep eyeing the wide receiver room as a place worthy of a high draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But the rest of the year the Browns are evaluating what they have and Cedric Tillman is catching all of the focus after his productive last two weeks.

As a rookie Tillman hauled-in 21 receptions 224 yards and zero touchdowns. Now with more opportunity he has changed the story with 15 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Weeks 7 and 8 alone. The uptick in production means we’re trying to define just what Tillman is going to be based on this surge.

There’s of time to see what tools Tillman adds to his game, but for now we have two solid weeks of evidence and it’s encouraging. There is certainly something there with Jameis Winston in their brief time spent together.

Here’s a look at the NFL’s top EPA pairings through eight weeks.

Somehow Winston and Tillman already have 12.6 EPA accumulated through these two weeks. We are all watching with a raised eyebrow. Let’s discuss what Tillman has done so far in his new role, what traits he has put on tape, and what he has to start showing to prove consideration among the NFL’s WR1 category.

Reminder on what we’re doing with these Newsletters each morning:

We will aim to do with this Morning Newsletter — give you something new to know. This Newsletter won’t be over-saturated with links to click on or anything useless but rather something small, concise, and meaningful that has to do with the Browns each morning. Topics will vary but normally it’ll be something I watched on film review, or something I noticed about the next opponent, or a college player I think you should know ahead of the off-season. Just a piece of information I think is worth your time and definitely won’t waste your time. That is what you can expect. And with a nice and direct link to your daily podcast as well.

Tighten your chinstrap and let’s dig into the details of wide receiver play.

The profile for how the Browns are using Tillman the first two weeks interesting. As Tillman tried to find a role the offense would have him align inside on majority of his snaps, but with the departure of Amari Cooper. The “X” role in this offense is going to get solo side targets in isolation and that is what is happening for Tillman.

On top of that fact, the offense has leaned heavily into the X running a higher volume of slant/flat the last two weeks and that has led to an increase in opportunity. Of his 86 routes run in Weeks 7 and 8, Tillman has run 16 slants, 15 hitches, 14 go routes, 12 crossing routes. He has been most popularly targeted on those slants.

What we are trying to decipher is what traits will keep Tillman active in such an important role. His physicality stands out to me as he gets more comfortable playing in space at the NFL level. He is displaying an ability to take a hit and work through contact. It was a key part of his draft profile.