Browns take wide receiver KC Concepcion with 24th pick: “You guys are getting a dog”
Andrew Berry made the most of his two first-round picks in the NFL draft on April 23 when he used pick 24 on wide receiver KC Concepcion from Texas A&M after taking offensive tackle Spencer Fano from Utah with the ninth pick.
Berry is in his seventh season as Browns general manager. He never drafted a wide receiver before the third round before breaking out of character to select Concepcion.
The 3,152 receiving yards recorded by the Browns ranked last in the NFL in 2025. Their 16 touchdown catches also ranked last.
Concepcion, 5-11 1/2, 196 pounds, played at North Carolina State in 2023 and 2024 before playing at Texas A&M last season. He totaled 185 catches for 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Concepcion was the fourth receiver taken in the first round. Carnell Tate of Ohio State went fourth to the Titans. Jordyn Tyson went eighth to the Saints after the Browns traded down from six to get the ninth pick plus pick 74 (third round) and pick 148 (fifth round) before using the ninth pick on Fano. The Eagles took Makai Lemon of USC with the 20th pick.
One reason Concepcion fell as far as he did was that he dropped seven passes last season and 15 total in his three years of college ball. He made no excuses while on a conference call with reporters covering the Browns when asked about the dropsies.
“I have had some drops,” Concepcion said. “During the offseason, I am going to work nonstop so I can fix that.
“I'm versatile. I can play anywhere. I can run any route. You guys are going to be getting a dog all over the field. Get your popcorn ready. I'm ready right now. I'm ready to play. I'm ready to change the organization.”
Concepcion could finally be the punt returner the Browns have been seeking since Travis Benjamin left Cleveland in 2016 to play for the San Diego Chargers. Concepcion returned 25 punts for 456 yards (18.2-yard average) and two touchdowns last fall for the Aggies,
“I'd say (Concepcion as a returner) was a bonus because it's certainly great if you can get the ball players that can do both, Berry said. "But also being realistic, looking at former, high-pick receivers, usually at some point they probably play their way off (being a returner).”
Concepcion has a stuttering problem, which he is working to overcome. He sent a letter to every NFL general manager and addressed his stutter. He had a difficult upbringing; his father was in and out of prison. Concepcion overcame hurdles and is now about to embark on what he hopes will be a long NFL career.
“I told him when he was on his 30 visit (teams are allowed to have up to 30 prospects in for a visit before the draft), I think it's incredible what he's overcome through his life," Berry said. “I actually went and called him and told him I thought that was really awesome. That was separate from obviously liking him as a prospect.
“I was like, 'Hey, I hope you're a Brown, but if you're not, I sure hope you’re in the NFC.
The second and third round of the draft is April 24. The Browns have the seventh pick in the second round, pick 39 overall, plus pick six (70 overall) and pick 10 (74 overall) in the third round.
Draft coverage on April 24 begins at 7 p.m. It will be televised on ESPN, NFL Network, ABC and WEWS in Cleveland.
