Even though KC Concepcion was the first of the two wide receivers the Cleveland Browns selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, ever since rookie minicamp, he has been seen as somewhat behind Denzel Boston. As the No. 24 overall pick in the first round, Concepcion did not burst onto the scene the way Boston did as the No. 39 choice from the second round.
However, during training camp, the gap between the two seems to be closing. Concepcion has been called the Browns’ most improved player since the end of spring workouts, and he is growing into his projected role in Cleveland’s new offense.
Speaking at camp, the rookie said that is because the game is finally slowing down for him, allowing his physical skills to flourish with the mental demands under control.
“When I first got here for the rookie minicamp, I was thinking a lot about the formations, the plays, but going over the installs over and over again, I would say that the game is finally slowing down for me from a mental standpoint,” Concepcion said.
Throughout training camp, a lot has been made about the precision required in Todd Monken’s offense. It has been a difficult adjustment for even the veteran players, so it is no surprise that a rookie like Concepcion would struggle with it, especially after excelling in college by virtue of his athletic gifts.
In addition, Concepcion arrived with a reputation for dropping passes, so if he were intensely focused on making an impression in that area, he may have let other aspects of his game take a back seat. Now, with those drops no longer a major issue, he can move on to other things, including a potential role as Cleveland’s punt returner.
Concepcion survived an injury scare this week after falling hard on his shoulder after catching a pass. He was limited to individual drills one day but has been able to return to practice.
His continued development, along with Boston and second-year pro Isaiah Bond, gives the Browns a much more promising wide receiver room than they have had in the past. It is possible that Concepcion could lead the team in targets in his first season.
Until then, he will keep working on the finer points of the game while using his impressive elusiveness to make big plays.
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