Cedric Tillman’s Growth Tops What To Watch For In Browns Preseason Game
Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The start of Cleveland Browns football is now upon us. There have been plenty of changes to this roster and coaching staff, and they have a fair amount of league experts predicting them to be real contenders in the 2024 season.
The preseason’s importance has dwindled further (if that was even possible) than what it was just a few years ago. Between the 17th game being added and the new joint practice system, where teams can keep their quarterback from getting hit, we are seeing fewer and fewer starters in the preseason, giving more time for the back half of the roster to earn their spots.
So, while the preseason games have certainly lost some of their luster, there is still plenty to watch that could impact how the 2024 season shakes out.
Has Cedric Tillman Turned the Corner?
Just like a few years ago, when all we heard about was the chemistry between Baker Mayfield and Austin Hooper, the talk this camp has been about how good Cedric Tillman has looked. The second-year player saw the field some in 2023 but was far from being someone who provided a lift to the offense.
It appears that Tillman has continued to add speed, which is helping him separate and become a much bigger factor down the field. Those were things that we didn’t see in 2024, but did see in Tillman’s phenomenal senior season at Tennessee. Unlocking that potential would be a feather in Andrew Berry’s cap for player development.
Even if Tillman turns the corner, though, it will be hard for him to see the field with Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore all in front of him. But as we’ve seen in years past, injuries will happen. Tillman will get a great opportunity to shine in the preseason and could solidify himself as the fourth wide receiver and give Berry some peace of mind he doesn’t have a massive hole at receiver when Cooper hits free agency next year.
Can The Rookies Have an Impact this Season?
The most exciting thing on Saturday night will be getting a chance to watch the Browns rookies take the field for the first time as pros. Without a doubt, we will see all of the Browns rookies on Saturday, including Michael Hall, Zak Zinter, and Nathaniel Watson. All three of those players should see the field in regular season action.
Michael Hall, Cleveland’s second-round pick, has the most upside and was a constant disruptor at the collegiate level. Hall relied on his strength a little too much rather than his form, but he could be a breakout star with the right coaching. We’ll see what he’s been learning in training camp.
Expect Hall to see the field a lot in the preseason, but in the regular season, he will probably shine brightest on passing downs. His length, strength, and quickness make his opposing guard’s job a nightmare. There wasn’t much success in trying to keep him from the quarterback at Ohio State.
The Browns landed Zak Zinter at No. 85 overall, in a move that looks like a massive steal. Had he not suffered a knee injury there is a good chance could have gone in Round 2, or perhaps even on the first night of the draft. Zinter brings a toughness and intelligence that could eventually make him a top center in the NFL.
Zinter may not get his shot to start as a rookie, but there is no doubt that he will be on the shortlist to take over at center or guard in 2025.
There were more than three picks in the 2024 Draft for the Cleveland Browns, but Nathaniel Watson is the best of the rest. After becoming known as having “off-field” issues, he also saw his draft stock plummet. Still, he’s extremely athletic and a fantastic tackler in space. While he could be forced on the field as a rookie with injuries, he will likely have a major impact on special teams as a rookie, and could even finish the season as the leader of that group if he can keep his head on straight.
How Special Are Teams?
We’ve gotta stop pretending that Cade York can make the roster, right?
Despite Dustin Hopkins’ new deal last month, the Browns made the curious move to bring York, who was bumped out by Cleveland trading for Hopkins last year, back into the fold. Maybe the front office was concerned about his hamstring — which kept him out of games for consecutive years, including the 2023 playoffs? Perhaps they just believed in York? Or maybe they just wanted competition for competition’s sake?
Whatever reason York was brought in, he’s had some struggles in training camp. It won’t be surprising to those who saw him in a Browns uniform. Hopkins is listed at the top of the depth chart now, so a strong game might vanquish his challenger, or, should the Browns want to preserve Hopkins’ leg, a bad day from York today could do the same.
Up Next