Todd Monken has big plans for the Cleveland Browns newest weapon, No. 24 overall pick KC Concepcion.
If the Cleveland Browns first preseason game is any indication, rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion has an opportunity to become a diabolic weapon in Todd Monken's offense.
In that 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, Concepcion caught three passes for 27 yards, returned a punt 31 yards and even scored Cleveland's only touchdown on the game via a 14-yard jet sweep.
It was just the first taste of Concepion's ceiling.
"So we had like a little jet sweep. My dog [Tylan Wallace], he had an amazing block for me. He set the edge," Concepcion said of his first-ever preseason touchdown. "I take pride in never being tackled by a cornerback. So you know I saw the edge. I fought through the tackle. I kept my balance, I scored."
That play may have been the biggest highlight of the day, but it was the Texas A&M product's incredible versatility that was the real story. Concepcion is already looking poised to impact the game in a variety of ways that it will leave the opposing team's heads spinning.
The best part is, Concepcion doesn't have a preference. He just wants the football.
"I always enjoy, any chance that I am able to receive the ball, I am going to always be happy," he said. "It doesn't matter the way that I can get the ball in my hands. It's just about getting the ball, honestly."
Throughout training camp, Concepcion has been one of the first players up to field punts throughout practice. Other names participating in that role have been fellow rookie WR Denzel Boston and others from the WR room like Gage Larvadain, Luke Foriea and Wallace.
While Monken surely has a lot planned for his newest weapon, he also has to be mindful not to overdo it with his workload, as well. At the moment, Concepcion isn't sure how much he'll be utilized in the punt return game. But he reiterated his stance on accepting any kind of touches.
"I personally haven't really gotten that far, but any chance I am able to affect the game in the punt return game, I will always be up for that challenge," the No. 24 overall pick said.
Monken himself hasn't figured it all out yet, either.
"From what we saw when we drafted him and then getting him here, I hope we’re trying to get him the ball as often as we can," Monken explained. "I mean, that dude is explosive. He’s tough, he’s got great contact balance. He understands situational football. Part of that is punt return."
One things obvious, though, Monken has big plans for his shiny new playmaker.
"We’ve got to find a number of ways to get him the ball with his explosiveness, his quickness, his contact balance," he added. "So, whether that’s punt return, kick return, screens, shallows, down-the-field routes. He’s going to be a real weapon for us.”
Admittedly, Conception isn't as familiar with kick returns. But he's open to that role too.
"I've seen some reps at kickoff return. I haven’t really did it too much," he said. "But again, if there's anything that I can do to help the team win, I'll do it."
Expectations may be low for the 2026 Browns from an overall record standpoint. Expectations for Concepcion and the rest of his rookie class, however, should be sky-high.
