The rookie wide receiver is receiving high praise from his new coach.
Former Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is entering one of the more fascinating offensive rooms in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 24 pick in this spring's draft.
With the Aggies, Concepcion showed he has the traits to be an elite go-ball receiver at the next level. He'll join an offense led by either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland after averaging over 15 yards per catch and leading the SEC in touchdown receptions (9) in his last season in college.
Cleveland's new head coach, Todd Monken, draws a comparison that highlights Concepcion's potential as a potential Pro Bowl talent.
Monken, the former offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, said he sees similarities in Concepcion's game to that of Zay Flowers, a breakout star in Lamar Jackson's offense who was also a speedy, undersized wide receiver drafted late in thr first round.
"There are some traits that are similar to [Flowers]," Monken said. "But I love when people spoke about KC, it reminded me of Zay in that, in terms of how he practiced, what he brings in every day. And if you're looking for that comparison, that I can compare, I believe he's going to bring that like Zay did."
Flowers became the first-ever Ravens wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl, and he's done so in back-to-back seasons. In three seasons under Monken, Flowers hauled in over 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. That's a recipe Concepcion can follow to see immediate production in the NFL as a rookie.
"He's dynamic," said Browns general manager Andrew Berry about Concepcion. "He's an outstanding separator, really good with the ball in his hands. Honestly, probably the best punt returner in this class."
Concepcion is expected to thrive in kick return spots, but when it comes to lining up as a wide receiver, he could run into competition for snaps with fellow rookie Denzel Boston, Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy, and elite tight end David Njoku all included in pass-catching opportunities.
Still, Concepcion says he'll have a place to fit in. Monken used Flowers in a ton of different ways, especially in pre-snap motion, and Concepcion could slide into that role in the offense right away.
"I'm very versatile," Concepcion said. "I can play pretty much any position on the field. After the catch, it's electric. I get the ball, it's in my hands, I'm trying to go score."
Although the Browns' quarterback situation is not as comfortable as the Ravens', the organization hopes their first-round rookie can live up to the comparisons he's receiving entering his first season.
"I do think there are some similarities [to Flowers] in terms of movement skills, the twitch," Berry said. "Honestly, some of the questions regarding the hands coming out, I think the one thing that maybe gets a little bit lost is KC is a much bigger player than Zay, but I think there is some overlap in the characteristics.
"If we get a player who's comparable to Zay Flowers when we're sitting here from three years, we'll be elated."
Concepcion had a knee procedure in March, but says he "100 percent" entering the next phase of Cleveland's offseason program.
