One of the most encouraging things about Cleveland Browns rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston is that each step they take up the ladder in their NFL experience, the better they seem to get. From rookie minicamp through OTAs and training camp and now the preseason, the 2026 NFL Draft picks have shown they belong and are bound to become impact players.
Their latest noteworthy performances came in a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Concepcion, a first-round pick at No. 24 overall, and Boston, a second-round choice at No. 39, each made some noise against one of the best teams in the league.
With that in mind, analyst Nathan Zegura said he believes the Browns’ rookies are special and will compete with each other for the role of the team’s top receiver this season.
“KC Concepcion is a special route runner and we’re really starting to see that. With Denzel Boston, it’s just so apparent that he knows how to use his size. He plays big. I think you see both of these guys being immediate impact players. I think both of them have the opportunity to be the No. 1 receiver this year,” Zegura said.
"KC Concepcion is a special route runner and we're really starting to see that. With Denzel Boston, it's just so apparent that he knows how to use his size. He plays big. I think you see both of these guys being immediate impact players. I think both of them have the opportunity… pic.twitter.com/DVMHBFbwM8
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 21, 2026
Concepcion made a huge impression in the first preseason game against the Chicago Bears last Saturday. He had 72 all-purpose yards that included a 31-yard punt return that set up a field goal and a 14-yard touchdown run that helped account for all of Cleveland’s points in a 34-10 loss.
In the joint practice against the Bills, Concepcion continued to show chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson as the two connected on a long pass. Boston caught two passes from Shedeur Sanders in a two-minute drill after being targeted just twice, for one reception for 15 yards, by Watson in last week’s game.
Sanders is scheduled to start and play the first half in the preseason game against the Bills on Saturday. Watson is set to enter the game in the third quarter, which could spur an interesting reaction from the Browns fans in attendance at Huntington Bank Field.
It is uncertain how much Concepcion and Boston will play in this upcoming game, as the Browns are unlikely to use many of their first-teamers, but if they are on the field, they will look to continue their impressive development heading toward their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NEXT: Josh Allen Gets Honest About Deshaun Watson's Return
