CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns GM Andrew Berry has run six drafts during his tenure with the team. It’s a rare feat around here to have had enough drafts to see some players hit, some fade out of the league and build an actual database of players selected with a real sample size of outcomes.
This year, another batch of Berry draft picks will face crucial seasons, whether it’s an opportunity to lock in a role, earn a second contract from the Browns or prove their worth to the rest of the league.
We’ve spent lots of time on Dawand Jones, Martin Emerson Jr. and, of course, the Browns two rookie quarterbacks throughout this series. Here are three other Berry draft picks with plenty to gain this season if they perform well.
Cedric Tillman
Cedric Tillman has an opportunity to establish himself as the Browns’ No. 2 receiver this season.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
A third-round pick in 2023, Tillman took a while to get consistent playing time. His opportunity came after two trades — Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2023 and Amari Cooper last season.
He finally started to figure it out last season. In Weeks 7, 8 and 9, Tillman had 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He was on his way to a strong night against Pittsburgh in Week 12 before a hit sent him into the concussion protocol and he missed the remaining six games of the season.
The Browns have cleared the runway for Tillman to be their No. 2 receiver behind Jerry Jeudy and now it’s simply a matter of whether that five-game stretch last season before the concussion was real or if it was a flash in the pan.
His numbers from those five games project to 88 catches and 1,122 yards over 17 games and the Browns would gladly sign up for a season like that from the 6-foot-3, 215 pound, 25-year-old Tillman.
Mike Hall Jr.
Mike Hall Jr. couldn’t stay on the field his rookie season, but when he was on the field, he got after the quarterback.Josh Gunter, cleveland.com
Hall’s biggest issue his rookie year was staying on the field. He started his career with a suspension before a knee injury kept him out for another four games. He was carted off the field in the season finale in Baltimore and the Browns have been careful about saying when he’ll be ready to return to the field.
Hall showed promise when he was on the field. He had a sack, three tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus credited him with 16 pressures in his eight games, including five against Baltimore before he was injured.
He just turned 22 years old and will be joined this season by No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham. The Browns hope they have a pair of defensive tackles in the middle who can create pressure for years to come.
This is Hall’s chance to put a rocky rookie season behind him, prove he can stay on the field and show he belongs in the team’s long-term plans.
Greg Newsome II
Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II is playing out his fifth-year option in 2025.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
It’s not a great sign when a team is willing to let a player play on their fifth-year option, especially when it’s not due to a contract stalemate, like with Micah Parsons in Dallas.
Normally by now a team has simply extended the player if they like him. That’s not the case with Newsome.
His role has been fluid during his time here. Last season, he essentially lost the No. 2 cornerback job to Emerson. Where he used to line up opposite Denzel Ward in base defense and slide to nickel when opposing offenses went three or more wide, last year Emerson was on the field in two cornerback sets.
Overall, Emerson played 76.48% of the team’s defensive snaps while Newsome played 53.04%.
This season represents an opportunity for Newsome to set up his 2026 free agency, whether it involves re-signing in Cleveland or going elsewhere. Emerson had some struggles last season and, while it’s safe to assume status quo will reign to start the year, Newsome will have chances to work outside and inside.
Teams are always looking for cornerbacks, so there will be a job for Newsome next season. How he performs this season could determine whether it’s a big-money opportunity or just a chance to find a new fit elsewhere.
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