New Cleveland Browns receiver KC Concepcion arrives with electric confidence, vowing to transform the organization after being selected No. 24 overall.
"Get your popcorn ready."
That's the message Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion wanted to send to Cleveland Browns on Thursday night after he was selected 24th overall.
"I'm ready right now," he added. "I'm ready to play. I'm ready to change the organization."
Other Browns draft picks have said similar things before and not delivered. But the franchise's disapointing history certainly isn't going scare the guy who penned a letter to all NFL GMs in the Players' Tribune this week stating he's "the best receiver in this draft. Period."
Not everyone will agree with those sentiments.
Throughout the predraft process, much was made of Concepcion's alarming drop rate, which hovered a little over 9% in his junior campaign with the Aggies. Add in his previous two seasons at NC State, and he enters the NFL with an overall catch rate of only 63.5% and a contested catch conversion of just 45.5%.
Those aren't the type of numbers that generally scream first-round pick, but Concepcion defied those stats with some impressive tape, proving he can run just about any route from the route tree, and line up anywhere on the field.
As Berry said following the first round of the draft, Cleveland's newest weapon is "electric."
"Every receiver besides maybe Larry Fitzgerald has a couple drops," Berry said. "And KC, he’s been a dynamic producer at N.C. State, Texas A&M. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, and we’re looking forward to having him."
In a blue-collar city that embraces players with passion and confidence, on a team with a dog for a mascot, Concepcion brings a "dawg" mentality with him to Northeast Ohio. It will serve him well in winning over the fan base quickly," regardless of what people said about him during the predraft process.
"I'm versatile. I make plays. I can play anywhere. I can run any route," he asserted. "Whatever I give you, you guys are going to be getting a dawg all over the field."
Not only that, but Concepcion instantly filled one of Cleveland's biggest remaining needs this offseason. The other was left tackle, which Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry also addressed on Thursday night, selecting Utah's Spencer Fano at No. 9 overall, following a trade back with the Kansas City Chiefs from No. 6.
Suddenly, new head coach Todd Monkens' vision for the offense is taking shape. And Berry has nine more picks on days two and three to continue that quest.
Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.