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Cedric Tillman, David Bell try to benefit from Browns trading away Donovan Peoples-Jones
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- Cedric Tillman, David Bell try to benefit from Browns trading away Donovan Peoples-Jones
BEREA — Cedric Tillman didn't get to spend a lot of time around Donovan Peoples-Jones. However, the time the Browns rookie wide receiver did get to spend with him, he found useful in growing as a professional.
"He just did his job," TIllman told the Beacon Journal on Wednesday. "No matter what they asked him to do, he would always do it with a smile on his face. So just trying to be a professional like him and just kind of took that away."
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Peoples-Jones was part of the lone Browns move at Tuesday's trade deadline. He was dealt to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
The move gives the fourth-year pro a chance at a fresh start with his hometown team after a disappointing first seven games with the Browns. Coming off a career year, Peoples-Jones had just eight catches for 97 yards this season, and wasn't targeted on 65 offensive snaps in last Sunday's loss at the Seattle Seahawks .
"I mean, that's the name of the game," wide receiver David Bell told the Beacon Journal. "People come in and people go. Like I said, everyone has their own journey and his journey happened to be in Detroit within the next few years or whatever that is. But I'm praying for his success and that he stays healthy."
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (89) is tackled by New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44), and cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 in Canton.
Peoples-Jones' departure, though, opens door for others to get their chances. Specifically, it opens the door for Tillman and Bell, two third-round picks from the last two drafts.
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The former was taken with the 74th overall pick last April out of the University of Tennessee. The latter was taken with the 99th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Purdue University.
Tillman has battled some of the typical rookie hurdles, including being inactive for the last three games. In his three games played, he had one 5-yard catch on three targets in 45 total offensive snaps.
"(It's) a chance to get more opportunities and stuff like that," Tillman said. "So I'm looking forward to it. Obviously wish Donovan was still here but, like you said, stuff happens. So now it's my turn to go out there and try to do what I can do."
Bell, though, played 516 offensive snaps as a rookie, catching 24 passes on 35 targets for 214 yards. So far this season, he has four catches on seven targets for 33 yards while playing 55 (10%) offensive snaps over seven games.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward tackles Browns wide receiver David Bell on Oct. 15, 2023, in Cleveland.
However, Bell also has one of the biggest catches of the season this year. It was his 6-yard catch on fourth-and-4 with less than seven minutes remaining in the Browns' Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers that kept alive the first of two fourth-quarter field goal drives in their comeback.
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That was P.J. Walker 's first game as the Browns' quarterback in place of an injured Deshaun Watson . Walker's the third different quarterback they've started this season, along with Watson and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson .
Bell said that catch is an example of what his job as a receiver is when there's such uncertainty at quarterback.
"I mean, really just get open," Bell said. "I feel like the more separation that we can get on the outside and the more we catch the ball, the job is easier for whoever's back there. So, I mean, also it falls on us. The better we are, what we are asked to do, the easier it is for not only the quarterbacks, but the offensive line and running backs. It opened up a lot of stuff."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cedric Tillman, David Bell see chance after Browns deal away teammate
