After silencing critics by eliminating one major flaw in his game, Cleveland Browns rookie KC Concepcion is prepared to unleash his versatile playmaking ability in the regular season.
KC Concepcion hasn't even played a season in the NFL yet and he's already turning heads, well, and winning awards.
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns rookie was the recipient of the Maurice Bassett Award. It's an honor that was created in 1985 in honor of former Browns running back Maurice Bassett and recognizes the most outstanding rookie during a Browns training camp, as voted on by the local media.
"That award, it feels amazing. Just letting me know what I am doing in camp, it hasn't gone unnoticed," Concepcion said of receiving the honor. "I appreciate the award, but I got to do the same thing or even more whenever it comes to the season."
That's the thing for Concepcion. These last four weeks were only the beginning of what the Browns are hoping is an accolade-filled career. That's why they selected him with the No. 24 pick in this year's NFL Draft.
Considering the expectations Cleveland has for him, head coach Todd Monken threw a lot at him throughout camp. Perhaps more impressive than his on field performance, was his ability to absorb it all without looking overwhelmed.
"I'm most proud of how I handled it," said Concepcion. "Playing and learning all of the different wide receiver positions. As a rookie, it is tough, but I felt like the confidence that I had built up in camp, with making plays, with being in the right spots, I would say that the confidence part leading into Week 1 will most definitely show."
One of the knocks on Concepcion coming out of Texas A&M this spring was some of the drops that showed up on his tape. It's a problem he vowed to fix from the moment he stepped foot in the Browns facility.
He kept his promise, turning those drops into an afterthought over the last month. It's a credit to the extra work he put in.
"Before camp, I was just with my trainer every day, catching every day, eyes to the tuck and catching from many different angles," he explained. "And then ever since I got up here, I catch JUGS fairly often. I just try and catch a football as much as I can."
With the drops seemingly a thing of the past, the preseason provided fans a preview of just how special Concepcion can potentially be with the ball in his hands.
Yes, he's a receiver first, primarily lining up in the slot and making plays after the catch. But his lone preseason touchdown came on a jet sweep against the Chicago Bears. He can also return punts, something Monken has made clear will happen pretty regularly.
Now, that aforementioned confidence will be key as he transitions from preseason mode to regular season mode where everything counts. As expected, he's not too worried about it.
"Honestly, just the way my whole life has gone," the 21-year-old said. "I've always had to have confidence with my speech impediment, on the field play, I'm always confident. I feel like that is one of the things that is a very strong point in my game, always being confident and always being levelheaded.”
