The Cleveland Browns gave fans what they wanted in the 2026 NFL draft with two wide receivers selected in the first two rounds. WR KC Concepcion was drafted first for his electric ability with the ball in his hands, with WR Denzel Boston’s size and ball skills bringing a nice complement in the second round.
The fit between the two receivers is ‘as dangerous as it gets,’ and adding the pure speed of WR Isaiah Bond gives the Browns three young, developing players at a vital position and a depth chart
that has the four key typologies for wide receivers.
Despite Concepcion being the first-round pick, Cleveland fans believe that Boston will have the better stats in 2026. Where Concepcion might add value for the Browns is as a punt returner, a position that (along with kick returner) hasn’t borne much fruit in a while. Zak Jackson of The Athletic believes that the Texas A&M prospect seems to be line for the extra role on special teams:
I think rookie KC Concepcion will be the primary punt returner. I think the competition for the kickoff return and core special teams coverage jobs will be among players already slotted to make the roster as backups.
Given Concepcion’s shiftiness, the returner role fits him well. He’s also someone, unlike Bond (despite his speed), with experience in the role. Last year, Concepcion led the SEC with 25 punt returns, including two touchdowns and an impressive 18.2-yard per return average.
The obvious concern is the health risk of having a first-round pick awaiting a punt while players are charging down the field looking to take him down. Injuries are a part of the game and cannot be prevented, but the Browns putting a player they’ve invested a high pick in precarious situations could be an unforced error.
Then again, there were 15 punt returns for touchdowns last year, and multiple players had multiple returns of 40 yards or more. Cleveland did not have a return for a touchdown, and WR Gage Larvadain, who returned 24 of the team’s 32 punt returns, averaged just 7 yards on those attempts. One or two big returns, and one being for a touchdown, could make the risk worth it.
Is the risk worth the reward with Concepción as the primary returner for the Browns this season?
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