'Confident' Cedric Tillman ready to get to work with Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Everything former Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman said during his introductory press conference with the Cleveland Browns, after the franchise selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft Friday night in Kansas City. Tillman had 1,498 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 18 games over the last two seasons, before being picked at No. 74 overall in the draft.

The Cleveland Browns also drafting his high school teammate, UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson

“That was very exciting. I was literally on the plane and my mom just showed it to me. I had just been talking about, ‘Oh, it would be cool if Dorian came, too.’ Kind of just throwing it out there. Life is funny sometimes. But it’s great.”

What his life had been like since hearing his name called 

“It was just family and friends watching (the draft). Finally got the call. Was really excited. Ready to go. Deshaun (Watson) texted me last night, telling me he was ready to go, too. So that was pretty cool.”

His confidence that he can make the step up into the NFL

“I’m confident. Playing in the SEC, I feel like it’s going to get me prepared for the NFL. It’s going to be different challenges and better players on this level, so I’m just looking forward to it.”

His impressions coming into Cleveland after getting drafted

“I didn’t much about Cleveland, honestly. I’ve never been here. But I’m excited. This organization took a chance on me. I’m going to make sure they don’t regret it. I’m excited to get going.”

Being the son of an NFL player and getting drafted into the league, following in his footsteps

“It’s cool. I like the second generation thing. It’s really cool to have a dad who played in the league and now it’s my turn. I’m excited for it.”

Looking at other receivers in the AFC North and his excitement level to be competing against those kind of players, how his game compares to others

“I’ll let my play (speak for itself). Obviously I want to the the best at my position, but I also want to be a great teammate too. So I’m excited to be a Brown. I’m looking forward to it.”

The text he got from Deshaun Watson

“Yessir, I got a text from him. He just told me that he was excited. He’s ready to work. He said to take in the moment and just enjoy the night. He’s ready to work and ready to go. Same here.”

If he had any previous relationship with Deshaun Watson

“I did not. That was the first time I got a text message (from him). I’m glad I saw it because my phone was blowing up. And I was like oh snap, OK, I need to answer this. So it was cool.”

Tennessee fans being crazy about football and Cleveland fans being the same way, playing in the SEC environments

“The SEC, I feel like it’s the best conference. Week in and week out you’re going against top teams, top competition. So Tennessee was great. A great fanbase, they really care about their Volunteers and stuff like that. I appreciated my time there. Now I’m a Brown and I’m going to embrace these fans. Let’s go.”

Being known as a player that works more than he talks

“Naturally I’m a little bit, I wouldn’t say reserved, but maybe more on the quiet side until I get comfortable and stuff like that. But for sure my mentality is let my play speak for itself. I don’t really do much talking on the field. I kind of let everybody else talk and do what I got to do.”

If Amari Cooper is someone he’ll try to get close with

“I got to get him to talk to me first. No, I’m playing. Obviously I’m looking forward to learning a lot from Amari Cooper. He’s one of the best receivers in the league. Definitely be on his hip trying to learn information.”

What he loves most about football

“Me, I just love to win. There’s no better feeling in the world than just winning. Football, camp days, when we’re out there, 100-degree weather, you know it’s for something bigger, the bigger picture. That’s what makes it so much more satisfying. Just winning and competing.”

Being a second-generation NFL player, his dad playing the same position, if there was any more pressure on him because of that

“I wouldn’t say there was any pressure. My dad, obviously he coached me up and stuff like that, but he wasn’t too, too bad on me. He just kind of let me be me and he was always supportive of me. It’s cool, the second-generation thing. Me, obviously, I always want to compete against him, like an older brother. I want to be better than him. But that’s been cool.”

How he would describe his personality

“I think I’m funny, but I don’t really talk as much. I’m quiet. I guess that’s why. I guess that’s why I fit good with the receiver room. I’ll say that.”

His size and how it shows up on the field at wide receiver

“I think it makes a big difference, honestly. One-on-one, ball is in the air, having my body, it’s easy for me to box guys out. But also, in the blocking game, a lot of guys can’t go toe-to-toe with me. And also when I have the ball in my hands, a lot of corners and safeties don’t want to tackle me. So I know that and I just use it to my advantage.”

If he expects to dominate physically because of his size

“Yeah, absolutely. I’m looking to stiff arm people to the dirt, for sure.”