You’ve probably seen the name pop up on your waiver wire more than once over the last two seasons. Cedric Tillman is that guy. He’s the physical, 6'3" specimen who looks exactly like what an NFL WR1 should be, yet his box scores often look like a game of "where’s Waldo."
But if you’re only looking at the total season stats, you’re missing the actual story of cedric tillman fantasy football value.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. Between quarterback carousels—moving from the Joe Flacco experiment to Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—and a mid-season hamstring injury that landed him on IR, Tillman’s production was "choppy" at best. He finished the 2025 campaign with 21 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns. On paper? Gross. In reality? There’s a lot more under the hood.
The Flacco Connection and the "What If" Factor
Remember late 2024? That was the glimpse of the ceiling. When Joe Flacco took over that offense, Tillman didn't just play; he erupted. We're talking about a three-game stretch where he saw 32 targets.
Think about that for a second.
Most veteran receivers don’t see 10+ targets a game, let alone a second-year player essentially learning on the fly. During that Week 7 to Week 9 stretch in 2024, Tillman was a legitimate WR1 in fantasy. He put up 81 yards against Cincy, nearly 100 yards and two scores against Baltimore, and another 75 yards with a TD against the Chargers.
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Why 2025 Felt Like a Step Back
So, why didn't he build on that in 2025? Honestly, the Cleveland offense was a mess. The team ranked near the bottom of the league in points scored, and the quarterback play was, well, inconsistent. Tillman also missed a chunk of time with a hamstring issue and later dealt with a concussion and rib injuries in December.
When he was on the field late in the year, he was often playing second fiddle to Jerry Jeudy or even rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who became a favorite of Shedeur Sanders.
By the end of the year, Tillman was barely rostered. He had five catches over the final seven games. That’s enough to make any fantasy manager quit him for good. But for 2026, the narrative is shifting again.
Breaking Down the Cedric Tillman Fantasy Football Metrics
If you’re a nerd for the data, you’ll find some interesting nuggets in Tillman’s profile. His Average Depth of Target (aDOT) consistently sits around 11.7 to 11.9 yards. This isn't a "screens and slants" guy. He’s running intermediate and deep routes.
When he gets targeted, it’s usually for a high-value play.
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- Red Zone Usage: In 2024, he saw 5 red zone targets on limited snaps. By 2025, that target share in the red zone stayed around 13.3%, which isn't elite but shows they trust his size in the scoring area.
- Air Yards: He accounted for over 15% of the team's air yards despite missing time.
- Snap Share: When healthy at the start of 2025, he was playing 91.3% of the snaps. The coaches want him out there.
The problem has never been his talent or his size. It's the "catchability" of the balls coming his way. His "True Catch Rate"—which factors out uncatchable passes—often ranks significantly higher than his actual catch rate. Basically, if the ball is anywhere near him, he’s grabbing it. The ball just isn't always near him.
Dynasty Value: Is He a "Hold" or a "Sell"?
In dynasty leagues, Tillman is the ultimate "roster clogger" for some, but a "high-upside flier" for others. He’s currently 25 years old. In the NFL, that’s not "old," but he’s heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
If you're holding him, you're betting on a few things:
- Cleveland finally finds stability at QB (whether that's a leap from Gabriel or a veteran addition).
- The Browns move on from aging or expensive assets, clearing the way for Tillman to be the undisputed X-receiver.
- He stays healthy for a full 17-game slate.
Most experts, like those at Draft Sharks or PlayerProfiler, see him as a WR4/5 with WR2 upside if the stars align. If someone in your league is willing to give you a mid-second-round pick for him, you probably take it. But if he’s sitting on the wire? He’s a priority stash.
What to Expect for the 2026 Season
The Browns’ offense is expected to undergo another facelift. With Tommy Rees calling plays, we might see a more aggressive vertical attack. Tillman thrives in that environment.
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He isn't a separator like Tyreek Hill. He’s a "win at the catch point" guy like Mike Williams or Courtland Sutton. In fantasy, those guys are frustrating because they’re "boom or bust." One week he'll give you 24 points, and the next two weeks he’ll give you 3 points.
For cedric tillman fantasy football owners in 2026, the key is going to be matchup-based starts. You don't want him in your lineup against elite, sticky corners. You want him against zone-heavy defenses or teams with smaller secondaries where he can use that 220-pound frame to bully people.
Actionable Next Steps for Fantasy Managers
Don't just draft him and hope. Here is how you actually handle Cedric Tillman this year:
- Monitor the QB Room: If Cleveland brings in a veteran "gunslinger" type, Tillman’s value triples. He needs a QB who isn't afraid to throw into tight windows.
- Check the Depth Chart: If the Browns draft a receiver in the first two rounds, Tillman is likely relegated to a WR3/4 role. If they stand pat, he’s the projected starter opposite Jeudy.
- Preseason Target Share: Watch the first two preseason games. If he’s playing with the starters and getting first-read targets, he’s a late-round steal.
- Best Ball Target: He is a perfect "last pick" in Best Ball formats. You don't have to guess when his big games are coming; you just reap the rewards when he catches two deep touchdowns in a random Week 11 shootout.
Tillman has the pedigree and the physical tools. We've seen the flash of brilliance. Now, he just needs the environment to support it. If you have the bench spot to spare, he's exactly the kind of lottery ticket that wins leagues if the "breakout" finally sticks.