The NFL is in a golden age for wide receiver play. Receiving seasons of 1,000+ yards used to be something of a rare achievement. Now you have to go to page 2 of the stat leaders to find the pass catchers that didn’t crack four-digit yardage in a season.
DeSean Jackson, Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase.
That’s just a smattering of the high-end receiver talent to break into the league within the past decade-and-a-half. Which makes some recent comments made by one legendary wide receiver all the more jarring.
Randy Moss Heaps Praise on Cleveland Browns Rookie Cedric Tillman
Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss knows a thing or two about standout WR play. Moss is fourth all-time in receiving yards and second in touchdowns, and regarded as quite possibly the most physically gifted wide receiver prospect of all time.
And according to remarks he made during a recent appearance on Sirius XM, Moss thinks Cleveland Browns third-round pick Cedric Tillman is the “best young receiver” to enter the NFL in the past 15 years and that it’s not “even close.”
Cedric Tillman is reportedly thought to be the “best young receiver” to enter the NFL in the past 15 years by Randy Moss (HOF WR).
Moss also said it’s “not even close” and that every owner in the NFL should be “pissed” they passed on him.
Tillman led the Browns in receiving in… pic.twitter.com/xLhOD4LEwJ
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh)
For the unfamiliar, Tillman is a former Tennessee Volunteer. He spent his first three collegiate seasons as a depth guy, making minimal impact. In Year 4, however, he broke out in a big way.
Tillman made a monster impact in 2021, racking up 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s highlight reel from that season definitely shows off a well-rounded skill set.
Tillman showcased a treasure trove of traits that teams covet in modern receivers. He’s a long strider and great at high-pointing the ball and pulling down contested catches. He moves fluidly and can be elusive in the open field or physical with would-be tacklers.
In other words, he plays a bit like Moss did. One could see why Randy might admire his game.
Tillman’s 2022 season was abbreviated due to a high ankle sprain, but he proved impactful in the six games he suited up for. He had 15 catches for 230 yards and a score in his first two games. In the game he was injured, and in his first game back, he managed a meager six catches and 38 yards. But he’d finish the year strong with another 16 grabs, 149 yards, and two more touchdowns.
Tillman tested well at the Combine. His best efforts were probably his 4.54 40-yard dash and his 10’8″ broad jump. He didn’t lap the field in any category, but Tillman ranked middle-of-the-pack or better in nearly all of them, again proving his well-roundedness.
Cleveland is certainly hoping Moss’ assessment of Tillman is accurate. The legendary receiver gushed with praise for Tillman, saying every owner in the NFL should be “pissed” they passed on him.
No indications out there that Moss has any sort of preexisting relationship with Tillman. It simply seems that he appreciates how the young man plays the game.
The Browns are hoping to feel the same after spending a third-round pick on Tillman. If he can meet Moss’ expectations, then that’ll prove to be a steal.