All of the analysis and grades given to teams coming out of an NFL Draft really don’t mean much until those players actually take the field. It is difficult for a pick to prove or disprove what was already thought about him without actually seeing him in action.
Of course, some players land in a better situation than others, given the opportunity that is in front of them. But they still must take advantage of it.
Fortunately for the Cleveland Browns, they look to have capitalized on another strong class. Not only is No. 9 overall pick Spencer Fano already their starting left tackle, but fellow first-round pick, wide receiver KC Concepcion, is outperforming his draft status as the No. 24 selection in a big way.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns’ rookie is leading an impressive group of first-rounders, with the highest grade in the entire league entering the final week of the preseason.
“Top graded offensive rookies this preseason, among first round picks: KC Concepcion – 78.4, Ty Simpson – 73.7, Jeremiyah Love – 68.5,” PFF posted.
Top graded offensive rookies this preseason, among first round picks
KC Concepcion 78.4
Ty Simpson 73.7
Jeremiyah Love 68.5 pic.twitter.com/qIsvccGMt1— PFF (@PFF) August 24, 2026
Concepcion is ranked ahead of Simpson, a quarterback who was the No. 13 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams, and Love, a running back who was the No. 3 choice by the Arizona Cardinals. He is also ahead of all the wide receivers drafted ahead of him, including Carnell Tate of the Tennessee Titans (No. 4), Jordyn Tyson of the New Orleans Saints (No. 8), and Makai Lemon of the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 20).
Concepcion was impressive during spring workouts and training camp, but those are just practices. He then made an immediate impact in the Browns’ first preseason game against the Chicago Bears, posting 72 all-purpose yards.
His 31-yard punt return helped set up a Browns field goal. Then, he made a third-down conversion catch that was followed on the next play by a 14-yard touchdown run. Concepcion contributed to all of Cleveland’s points in its 34-10 loss.
During the following week, he made some impressive catches in a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills. He then sat out the preseason game, which the Browns lost 31-7.
Concepcion has displayed all of the speed and elusiveness that made him a first-round pick, while also cutting down on the dropped passes that plagued him in college, which has him on track to be a huge contributor for the Browns this season.
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