Cedric Tillman is in a potentially awkward situation with Browns because of his Tennessee connection
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman is in a potentially awkward situation in the NFL thanks to his connection to UT. Tillman, a third-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft, is teammates in the NFL with former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs (Dobbs signed with the Browns earlier this offseason). The […]
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman is in a potentially awkward situation in the NFL thanks to his connection to UT.
Tillman, a third-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft, is teammates in the NFL with former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs (Dobbs signed with the Browns earlier this offseason).
The two former Vols never played together at UT, but they're obviously familiar with each other thanks to their shared status as VFLs.
Earlier this month, Cleveland released their first preseason depth chart and Dobbs was listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Deshaun Watson.
The Browns' quarterback situation, however, is unsettled behind Watson.
Dobbs, in fact, was listed as a cut candidate on Saturday by USA Today's Browns Wire.
The feeling is that rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a former UCLA standout, has performed well enough to jump Dobbs on the depth chart (in that scenario, Dobbs would be released over Kellen Mond, the other quarterback on the roster).
From USA TODAY: Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs saw his first action of the preseason and though there were some nice moments overall it wasn’t great. There were issues up front with his protection at times but Dobbs only completed 50 percent of his passes with an interception and a passer rating under 40.
With how good rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson has performed in the two games you have to wonder if he pushes Dobbs off the roster. Dobbs was inaccurate in the pocket and on the run and just struggled to make plays Friday.
Most folks will probably assume that Tillman will be pushing to keep Dobbs on the roster. But that might not be the case. That's because Tillman grew up with Thompson-Robinson in Las Vegas (Tillman and DTR played youth football together before playing alongside each other at Bishop Gorman High School).
The Browns' YouTube channel recently put out a great video that details the close relationship between Tillman and Thompson-Robinson.
You can see how this could be awkward for Tillman. Does he support his close childhood friend? Or does he push for his fellow former Volunteer?
Ultimately, of course, the choice isn't Tillman's to make. But Tillman's chemistry with each quarterback will almost certainly be part of the quarterback decision-making process (as well as other wide receivers' chemistry with the quarterbacks).
It's not like Tillman has to choose Dobbs or DTR, but it's still gotta be weird for the former Vol knowing that either a former childhood teammate or a player he's likely come to know quite well because of their shared connection to UT will probably be receiving a pink slip in the not-so-distant future.
Cedric Tillman makes bold statement at combine that opposing fans won’t like
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman made a comment at the NFL Draft combine that opposing fans won’t like
Featured image via Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
