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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman broke out massively in Week 8. He caught seven passes on nine targets for 99 yards and two touchdowns, his biggest game of the season. This followed up his initial breakout game in Week 7, where he caught eight passes on 12 targets for 81 yards.
It looks like Tillman is now the centerpiece of a revamped passing offense, and with fellow WR Jerry Jeudy, who's listed first on the depth chart, catching just six passes for 97 yards in the last two games combined, it's possible Tillman could make a push for at least the de facto WR1 job.
So why did he go off in Week 8? Was his big performance legit or a fluke? What will the rest of the season look like and should you start him in Week 9 in your fantasy football leagues?
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Why Did Cedric Tillman Have a Huge Game?
The first reason is that WR Amari Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills, clearing a path for Tillman to see significantly more playing time and earn more targets. Cooper was the clear WR1 for the Browns this season and had been for all of 2022 and 2023 after he was traded to the team from the Dallas Cowboys.
BREAKING: Browns trading WR Amari Cooper to Bills. (via @TomPelissero, @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/FqySOPih1F
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
Cooper would have remained as a target hog for Cleveland and likely been the focal point of the passing game, which could have made it difficult for Tillman to shine or even get consistent work. While the second-year pro is technically the WR2 on the depth chart, it's possible he could be the primary receiving target moving forward.
The second big reason is the injury to former starting QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles), who is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 7. New starting quarterback Jameis Winston stepped in and immediately jolted one of the worst offenses in the league to life, throwing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no picks.
JAMEIS WINSTON WHAT IN THE WORLD??
THE BROWNS BEAT THE RAVENS
THIS IS THE NFL. BEST SPORT IN THE WORLDpic.twitter.com/tKAVHxyb67
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 27, 2024
Famous Jameis then led Cleveland to a massive upset win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. He was clutch for his team, throwing a huge touchdown to the guy this article was written about with just over one minute left on the game clock to put the Browns ahead by five points and seal the game for good.
Winston presents a massive upgrade for the offense. Watson was authoring one of the worst quarterback seasons in NFL history through seven weeks, and the team looked lackluster and lethargic, likely knowing that he would never play at a high level and give it a chance to win.
Will Cedric Tillman Continue to Dominate?
Whether or not Tillman becomes a locked-in WR1, WR2, or WR3/flex, or whatever happens, at least fantasy managers can expect a wild ride under Winston. It's much more likely than not that at least one or two of the Browns receivers become an every-week starting option, though.
Jameis Winston’s first drive:
* 20-yard completion
* 19-yard completion
* 16-yard completion
* 12-yard completionAnd a “I really have no idea where Jameis was throwing.”
We are so back, folks. pic.twitter.com/WJ4Vr2jAJV
— Zachary Krueger (@ZK_FFB) October 27, 2024
Even if he does create turnovers at a high rate, the former Tampa Bay quarterback is huge for his receivers. He may end up as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league when the season is over -- overall passing has been down in recent years, and many signal-callers prefer to play much more conservatively.
Our patience has paid off fellow Cedric Tillman truthers 👏 pic.twitter.com/7Pj5eL4DlL
— Matt Hicks (@TheFF_Educator) October 27, 2024
Specifically relating to the 24-year-old wideout, it's valuable for fantasy managers to pump the brakes a bit and read into the context of the situation. The Ravens were without their top two cornerbacks and already had one of the league's worst pass defenses, so it wasn't surprising to see them get lit up in Week 8.
The 2024 Ravens defense is less than 1,000 passing yards away from matching their 2023 total given up
We are in Week 8 pic.twitter.com/yKj4lXqIuY
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 28, 2024
Baltimore has now allowed the second-most PPR fantasy points to opposing wide receivers per game, at 44.7. It has been gashed by Davante Adams (26 PPR FPTS), Ja'Marr Chase (41.3 PPR FPTS), Rashee Rice (17.3 PPR FPTS), and Xavier Worthy (20.8 PPR FPTS), and it doesn't look like that's about to change.
What Will the Rest of Cedric Tillman's Season Look Like?
With two games having a significant target share and production to show for it, we'll likely be seeing plenty more of this guy. It looks less like his performance was a fluke and more like he'll be a key component of one of the NFL's more explosive offensive attacks moving forward.
Cedric Tillman over the last two weeks:
-3rd in air yards (286)
-7th in receiving yards (180)
-6th in air yards per game (143)
-5th in end zone targets (3) pic.twitter.com/Tdf6Epx7f3— Adam Pfeifer (@APfeifer24) October 29, 2024
Air yards on catchable targets are massively important for fantasy production, and Winston's willingness to air it out for huge plays gives him a high ceiling. Long touchdowns can make or break fantasy games and seasons, and they're an effective way to win shootouts in your fantasy leagues.
Here are all of the Cedric Tillman targets during the 2024 Jameis Winston era ⬇️
First one is vs. prevent defense. Another was a 30-yard prayer yard heave where Tillman never saw the ball.
Elijah Moore actually led the Browns in catchable air yards (Source: @FantasyPtsData) in… pic.twitter.com/fJEE4Vbodk
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 28, 2024
Still, it may be a bit too early to crown him as the obvious WR1 of the team, and expecting WR1 numbers from him moving forward could be a bit extreme. It's safer to temper your expectations so you don't become disappointed. For fantasy purposes, however, the only thing that matters for now is if he can reach WR3/flex potential.
Should I Pick Up or Start Cedric Tillman in Week 9?
He should be rostered in all leagues after his performance in Week 8, though it's likely many picked him up after his Week 7 showing. He's now rostered in 27% of Sleeper leagues, and that number is likely to shoot up. He's worth spending a significant amount of FAAB on or using a waiver claim in leagues with rolling waivers.
Waiver Wire Options in Fantasy Football for Week 9
WR Cedric Tillman
-avg 23.5 ppg in the 2 games since Amari Cooper was traded
-CLE passing attack significantly better with Jameis
-No doubt WR3 going forward pic.twitter.com/ZA7gud27bH— Brad Smith (@mackdaddyffb) October 29, 2024
The middle of the season is when waivers start to become increasingly barren, and a change in starting quarterbacks like we have here is huge in creating more opportunities for breakout fantasy stars. Great pickups like him will become scarcer as the season progresses, so it's important to take this opportunity if you're in need.
He's worth a start as a WR3/flex purely based on the passing volume his new quarterback exhibited and his share of the targets, but he could be in boom-or-bust territory depending on how well the team responds to a tough defense. It plays the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9, so things won't be a cakewalk.
