The 3 most important young players the Browns must pay heavy attention to over the second half of the season

Cleveland Browns were sellers at the trade deadline before their bye week and they are now a team that is looking to build for the future. Of course, the Browns will look to compete in the second half of their season. The reality is that they are a 2-7 football team that will not be […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 27...
Jeff Lange-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns were sellers at the trade deadline before their bye week and they are now a team that is looking to build for the future. Of course, the Browns will look to compete in the second half of their season. The reality is that they are a 2-7 football team that will not be in the postseason.

The Browns made a couple of trades to add draft compensation before the deadline by dealing Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith. Now, the Browns need to evaluate their roster precisely the rest of the way, and the young players on the roster especially. Below are three players I think are worth following the rest of the way.

WR Cedric Tillman

Ever since the Browns traded Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, Tillman has been able to step up and be a major contributor for the Browns. Tillman has at least six catches in each of the last three games for the Browns and has crossed 75 yards receiving in each game.

Over the last three games, Tillman has looked like the Browns’ top option even over Jerry Jeudy. Now, the Browns are still giving Jeudy WR1 snaps, but Tillman has firmly taken over WR2 from Elijah Moore.

Cleveland needs to continue to let Tillman produce and get comfortable in the league. He has a lot of potential and could end up being a third-round steal for the Browns. So far this season, Tillman has 264 yards and three touchdowns, and both are career-highs.

OT Dawand Jones

Cleveland has made the move to switch Jones to the left tackle spot the last two games after spending last season and part of this season on the right side. Cleveland appears to be sold on moving on from Jedrick Wills Jr. after this season, so they need to find their left tackle of the future.

Jones should get the last eight games of the season to audition to be the Week 1 starter for next season. If he can be, that is a big win for the Browns since he was a fourth-round selection.

DT Mike Hall Jr.

Hall got off to a late start in his pro tenure after being suspended the first five games, but he has been a force since being back. Cleveland already gave Hall Quinton Jefferson’s snaps, who was released and later signed with the Buffalo Bills. In four games, Hall has five tackles and seven pressures on the quarterback.

Cleveland already sees that Hall is a factor as a pass rusher. If he can improve as a run defender, you are talking about a very special talent with the rookie. Over the rest of the season, the Browns should continue to uptick the snaps that Hall gets and let him get as much action as possible since he appears to be a long-term fit. 

Related Articles