Almost everyone, from media graders to at least one rival GM and fans, seems to love the Cleveland Browns 2026 NFL draft class. After a successful 2025 draft, including Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, GM Andrew Berry focused on the offensive side of the ball with eight of his 10 picks in this year’s draft.
At this point, it is assumed that many of those picks will have a chance to contribute right away. OT Spencer Fano will compete to start at left tackle, WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel
Boston should be near the top of the receiver depth chart, center Parker Brailsford could compete to start, and both tight ends could have a role in HC Todd Monken’s offense.
Ben Solak of ESPN has Concepcion and Boston ranked sixth and eighth, respectively, in his preseason Offensive Rookie of the Year rankings:
- Here’s our potential WR1. Concepcion has high volume potential as a slot receiver and high explosive potential as a serious YAC athlete with tackle-breaking ability. Browns coach Todd Monken figures to use Concepcion much as he used Zay Flowers in Baltimore, so Concepcion could see rushing production accordingly. Should the Browns find themselves trailing often, Concepcion will see an increase in volume as well. I would be all-in were it not for my fears that the QB play will be debilitatingly poor.
- As much as Concepcion has a good chance to become the WR1 in Cleveland, so does Boston, who was drafted 15 picks later. He has a bigger body (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) with a larger catch radius, and that might be better suited to produce with the Browns’ quarterbacks of questionable accuracy.
Solak has QB Fernando Mendoza at the top of his candidates for OROY. According to FanDuel, Concepcion is slightly more likely than Boston for the award, but they are listed with the eighth and tenth best odds overall.
Neither S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren nor LB Justin Jefferson was listed among the favorites on the defensive side of the ball.
If you had to pick, would you predict Concepcion or Boston to win Offensive Rookie of the Year this year? Do you think either is actually a top 5 candidate by the time the season is over?
Share your thoughts on OROY in the comment section below
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