Browns HC praises rookie after first day of minicamp

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski praises rookie after first day of minicamp

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 6/7/23

The Browns didn't make their first selection in the 2023 NFL Draft until the third round, but head coach Kevin Stefanski believes one rookie is already beginning to carve out his role in the offense.

"I think [Cedric Tillman] has done a nice job," Stefanski told reporters following the team's first day of minicamp. "He's very very very intelligent so he's getting it but it's a lot ... you saw his physical trait, the ability to just go body it up and go get the football."

Ced's been learning quickly and finding his role in the receiver room@Ctillman04 | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/h2RqPbns9o
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 6, 2023

Tillman, Cleveland's first third-round pick, is a 6-foot-3, 213-pound receiver who played in a mere six games in 2022 due to injury, but he had 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.

"Tillman is the most physical receiver in the draft class. He's a safe bet as a possession receiver, as he dropped only five of his 104 career catchable targets," according to Pro Football Focus.

It will be no easy task for Tillman to see the field early and often as he joins an already talented receiver room that includes Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Marquise Goodwin.

However, if he continues to catch the eyes of his coaches, they'll be forced to give him more opportunities.

The Browns have been very active this offseason, and they may not be done quite yet, but things are certainly looking up for Cleveland in 2023.

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