Cedric Tillman, WR Tennessee: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Tillman was a three-star recruit from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev. in the class of 2018

Tennessee’s football program has struggled to gain traction in the SEC since its last ten-win season (2007). With the conference set to expand in a few years, the Volunteers could find themselves sliding further down the pecking order. However, the team has a real chance to make some noise in 2022 thanks to head coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker, and the focus of today’s 2023 NFL Draft profile, wide receiver Cedric Tillman.

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Cedric Tillman, WR Tennessee: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior outside receiver from Las Vegas, Nev.

Background: Tillman was a three-star recruit from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 1,677 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,527 for On3.com. Tillman was an unranked two-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked recruit for ESPN with no grade or star rating. As a high school senior, Tillman made 37 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns. He won state titles with Bishop Gorman in 2016 and 2017. His father (also Cedric Tillman) played wide receiver at Alcorn State and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1992. He played four years in the NFL. The younger Cedric Tillman’s older brother (Jamir Tillman) played wide receiver for Navy. Tillman was born on April 19, 2000.

2021 Production: 13 games, 64 receptions, 1,081 yards, 12 touchdowns

2020 Production: 10 games, 3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 touchdown

2019 Production: 11 games, 4 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown

2018 Production: 4 games, Redshirt Year

Injuries & Off-Field: Played through minor injuries in 2021

Awards: Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2019, 2020)

Pros: Drops haven’t been a problem so far, plays to his size in contested catch situations, experience on special teams dating back to 2019 and 2020, excellent adjustments on deep throws and contested catches, finishes catches through contact and heavy hits, natural hands catcher who extends for and highpoints the football, ball tracking and hand strength, quick footwork aids releases, active hands during releases, willing blocker with the power and strength to stun smaller players and sustain blocks, demolished Josh Jobe and Derion Kendrick (2021), build up speed to threaten teams deep, good speed for his size and frame, strength to physically overwhelm defenders in press coverage

Cons: Little to no experience in the slot, only one season of significant production, takes too long to separate at times, needs extra steps to turn on some routes, blocking technique is inconsistent, lacks twitch and suddenness, speed is built up instead of instant, large frame for defensive backs to target in press, he will struggle against press in the NFL, not a natural separator, rarely makes defenders miss tackles in space, struggles to create on schemed touches, age, route running in inefficient at times and he needs exposure to a larger variety of routes, release package lacks variety

Overview: Tillman is unofficially listed at 6'3", 215 lbs. He uses his frame and physicality to muscle through jams and press coverage. He’s also effective as a blocker, often stalemating defensive backs or driving them backward. Tillman has some of the best ball skills in the 2023 class and rarely lets throws slip through his hands. His adjustments on contested catches are incredible and display game-changing instincts. However, Tillman’s late breakout and limited snaps prior to 2021 mean he’s underdeveloped as a route runner. He still needs to eliminate inefficiencies in his game while adding more tools to his arsenal. Tillman’s best performances against prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft came against Josh Jobe and Derion Kendrick, two notoriously slow and less athletic corners. Unless he continues developing, Tillman will struggle to consistently beat press coverage or shake sticky NFL corners.

Overall, Tillman is an exciting athlete for his size. His 2022 campaign will define where he lands in the NFL Draft. Right now, he’s a developmental big-bodied receiver with above-average athleticism, agility, and speed for his build. Tillman has one of the largest potential draft ranges among wide receivers I’ve studied this summer.

Role & Scheme Fit: Z or X receiver in an 11 personnel heavy scheme

Round Projection: Late Second to Early Fourth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-07-22