Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: Following the breadcrumbs (Final Edition)
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Cowboys Round 2, Pick 58: Cedric Tillman, WR
The Dallas Cowboys sent representatives to the Tennessee pro day so they’re well acquainted with Wright and Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. It’s strange to pick two players from the same school back-to-back but the fit is clean so who are we to argue?
Mike McCarthy likes big WRs. Even though the Cowboys scouted and met with multiple little guys, McCarthy has never liked below-average sized WRs (neither has Will McClay for that matter) so we’re operating under the assumption that preference still exists today.
The Cowboys need strong possession receivers who can win battles and will fight for the ball in tight quarters. Tillman is that guy. He’s big, tall, and knows how to use his body. Tillman is coming off a down season in 2022 but he was one of the best in the country in 2021.
Here some advanced stats from TENN WR Cedric Tillman from the 2021 season via @PFF:
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 2, 2023
96th percentile rec. grade
95th percentile separation percentage vs. single coverage
94th percentile rec. grade vs. single coverage
93rd percentile separation percentage
92nd percentile ADOT
Even in 2022, when his team needed tough yards, they went to him and he was the clear alpha of the passing game despite Hyatt being a big play machine.
At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Tillman is a special player this year. The 2023 draft class is tiny in stature and Tillman is going to get extra love because he’s such a special commodity. He has a big frame and he knows how to use it. On slants and come-backs, Tillman will win possession or die trying. Dallas lacked that aggressiveness last year and it resulted in multiple picks.
Tillman can come in and do the things Gallup was supposed to and he can be a cheap starting caliber player on offense for the next four seasons which will fit financially with what CeeDee Lamb is about to make.