Two former Vols prominent in Browns' 21-16 preseason win
The Cleveland Browns painted the town orange on Thursday, taking over Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night for Cleveland's preseason-opening matchup with the New York Jets. However, there was another shade of orange on the field, and it had a significant impact on the game. John Kelly, Jr. scored […]
The Cleveland Browns painted the town orange on Thursday, taking over Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night for Cleveland's preseason-opening matchup with the New York Jets.
However, there was another shade of orange on the field, and it had a significant impact on the game.
John Kelly, Jr. scored the Browns' first touchdown, second-round pick Cedric Tillman shared the team lead in receiving yards, and the Browns came back to clip the Jets 21-16.
Tillman started for the Browns and helped get them into scoring range with his first NFL catch. He caught 2 passes for 35 yards in limited action.
The Browns have a well-established veteran presence at both starting outside receiver spots in Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Elijah Moore seems likely earn the starting role in the slot, although he can play multiple positions. However, Tillman's size and hands could help him earn red zone package looks early in the year. He certainly has the upside to unseat Peoples-Jones, but it will likely take some time to get there.
Kelly, Jr. also drew the start for the Browns and finished with 42 rushing yards on 10 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 27 yards and a three-yard touchdown.
Kelly, Jr's path to the Browns is less clear than Tillman's, as he is fighting with Demetric Felton, Jr. and rookie Hassan Hall for the team's third (and likely final) running back spot behind Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford. Both Felton, Jr. (7 carries, 46 yards, TD) and Hall (5 carries, 34 yards) ran very well last night. Felton, Jr. and Hall both returned kicks as well, which ups their value.
Kelly, Jr. has been in Cleveland since September 2020. He's been primarily on the practice squad with a short stint on the active roster in 2021. However, with Kareem Hunt no longer in Cleveland, there's hope he can fight to make the back end of the 53-man roster. Thursday night's performance didn't hurt his chances.
Josh Dobbs did not play last night, having already been entrenched as the team's backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson.
If Kelly can make the final roster with Dobbs and Tillman, then it may be that brown is the new orange on Sundays for Tennessee fans.
Browns reporter makes strong statement about former Vol WR Cedric Tillman’s potential as a rookie
A Cleveland Browns reporter made a strong statement about former Vol WR Cedric Tillman’s potential as a rookie
Featured image via Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
