After waiting until late on Friday night, the Cleveland Browns finally made their first selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. At No. 74 overall, they brought in Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman.
Tillman wound up going one pick after teammate Jalin Hyatt, who landed with the New York Giants. New York traded ahead of the Browns in order to take Hyatt, who some believed to be on Cleveland's radar.
In all honesty, it was a bit of a surprise pick, especially with Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson on the board. Cleveland seemed to be interested in Simpson but clearly felt a strong desire to continue to overhaul their receiving corps.
Browns fans let their feelings be known on Twitter
After the pick, Twitter had their say as fans were showing all kinds of emotions. Some were interested in seeing what it would mean for the wide receiving corps.
Very intrigued adds a different dimension to the wide receiver room #DawgPound. https://t.co/cgF5gTZUdV
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) April 29, 2023
Others who admitted surprise simply think he will be a good player.
Pretty surprising not gonna lie. Think it could be a solid pick, though #DawgPound https://t.co/nYqWOIqnFS
— Big Mike (@big_mike9169) April 29, 2023
Cedric Tillman! Very sturdy, savvy player!
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) April 29, 2023
Jack Duffin of OBR pointed out that Tillman was a bit older than most rookies, which is something the Browns have typically stayed away from.
Age Week 1 - 23.4
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) April 29, 2023
RAS - 8.67
By far their oldest prospect rounds 1-3. Everyone has been 22.0 or less week one outside of Elliott at 22.7
Likely DPJ’s replacement next offseason. Guess they don’t want to pay him the $10-12m a year extension it would likely take https://t.co/IIqLCHSmcu
A deeper though circulated as well, asking what it means for the wide receiver corps in 2024. Donovan Peoples-Jones will be a free agent, so perhaps Tillman is here to keep them from having to overpay?
I have questions about the pick… he was hurt last year… DPJ gone?
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) April 29, 2023
Not hating just genuinely wondering… #DawgPound
Browns continue to take risks with injured players
But the one tweet that resonates with me is from Grant Puskar, who is frustrated with the Browns insistence on ignoring injury concerns.
There’s no denying Tillman is talented.
— Grant Puskar (@grant_puskar_) April 29, 2023
Just frustrating Berry continues to draft guys with injury histories. #DawgPound
Week after week, the Browns have the longest injury report and they just took a guy who played one game in 2018, three in 2019, two in 2020, and six in 2021.
He played 12 in 2021 and was a star but had just 12 games in the remaining three seasons combined. That's clearly something to monitor.