Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman showed notable progression in his second NFL season after a quiet rookie year, emerging as a reliable WR2 and near every-down player in 2024. As the 2025 season approaches, Tillman’s fantasy prospects remain a question: is he a sleeper ready to break out, or a short-lived surprise? This Cedric Tillman fantasy outlook explores his development, usage, and how fantasy football managers should approach him in upcoming drafts.
After being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Tillman’s rookie year was unremarkable, with only 21 receptions for 224 yards. With minimal impact initially, expectations were low heading into his second season. However, some flashes of upside appeared in 2024, particularly during a three-week stretch that caught the attention of fantasy managers.
Breaking Down Tillman’s Second Year Production and Impact
The overall numbers from Tillman’s sophomore campaign were modest. He recorded 29 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets, averaging 30.8 receiving yards per game over 13 games—despite missing three contests. This equated to about 7.3 fantasy points per game, not enough to justify consistent starter status in most fantasy leagues.
Yet, the real intrigue lies in Weeks 7 through 9 of the 2024 season. Prior to Week 7, Tillman’s involvement was minimal—only three receptions for 10 yards across six games and an average of 10.3 routes run per game. He was largely irrelevant to fantasy managers, who had little reason to roster him.
Everything changed in Week 7, when Tillman played 82% of the snaps, ran 46 routes, and hauled in eight catches for 81 yards on 12 targets. This breakout performance pushed many fantasy managers to add him off waivers. Tillman backed up this sudden emergence just two weeks later in Week 9 with a 7-catch, 99-yard, 2-touchdown game. By Week 10, he delivered another solid fantasy performance with six receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Unfortunately, after the Browns’ bye week in Week 10, Tillman’s momentum was derailed. He managed just 7.5 fantasy points in Week 11 before suffering a concussion that ended his season prematurely. This sequence left fantasy owners wondering whether his breakout was genuine or a brief anomaly.
Early Career Comparisons and What Tillman’s Future Might Hold
This pattern bears resemblance to the short-lived surge of Eagles wideout Travis Fulgham, who exploded onto the scene midseason before quickly fading and exiting the league. While Fulgham’s career ended after a handful of appearances, Tillman’s trajectory is different in that he is expected to continue as part of the Browns’ receiving corps, though whether as a core contributor or depth piece remains uncertain.
Tillman’s future fantasy value hinges on his role within the Browns’ offense. Much of his production in 2024 came with Jameis Winston at quarterback, who favored aggressive downfield passing. The Browns’ current quarterback situation is less certain, with Joe Flacco backing up Winston and unlikely to start the entire season.
Depth Chart and Usage Scenarios Affecting Tillman’s Fantasy Appeal
Given the Browns’ receiver group, Tillman is likely to feature at least in three-receiver sets. Besides Jerry Jeudy, who is a clear target priority, Tillman and newly acquired Diontae Johnson fill out the top-end receiving corps. The rest of the receiving depth chart lacks established NFL-level players, meaning Tillman’s playing time could remain steady if he performs well.
Among Browns receivers, Jeudy stands as the most dependable, locking down a key role in the offense. Johnson, while more talented, has struggled with consistency and off-field issues, having played for four teams last season and posted fluctuating fantasy outputs. Johnson did produce elite WR1 numbers in several contests during Weeks 3–6 of 2024, making him a risk-versus-reward option alongside Tillman.
Team Dynamics and How They Benefit Wide Receivers Like Tillman
Despite a projected poor season record, the Browns’ tendency to trail opponents often forces them to pass more than run. Cleveland led the NFL in pass attempts last season, and with a heavy reliance on 11 personnel sets—used over 70% of the time—they frequently deploy three wide receiver formations. This offensive approach creates ample opportunities for pass catchers like Tillman to earn playing time and targets as long as he remains effective and healthy.
Draft Considerations and Fantasy Value Outlook for 2025
This Cedric Tillman fantasy outlook positions him as a low-risk, high-upside player entering the 2025 fantasy season. His average draft position sits near WR67 territory, indicating that he is largely overlooked. With proven capability of delivering WR1-level performances, Tillman represents a speculative but affordable option late in drafts. His ranking around WR62 reflects a cautious optimism as his role and consistency are yet to be fully determined as the summer progresses.
Johnson remains a more established upside candidate, and many fantasy managers may prefer him for that reason. However, both receivers can effectively be stashed without high opportunity cost, given their borderline late-round ADPs. If a manager wants to take a chance on Tillman’s breakout potential, especially in deeper leagues or best-ball formats, the downside is minimal.