Schultz: Concepcion ‘fine’ after shoulder injury

Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot posted a video to her X account on Monday, where Concepcion can be seen walking to the sideline with a trainer while holding his right shoulder. We don’t know much beyond what we saw on Cabot’s video, so this will be one to keep an eye on. Concepcion has enjoyed a strong camp with the Browns through the first week and is expected to be a focal point in the offense in his rookie year under Todd Monken.

Oyefusi says the plays to Concepcion varied from “deep shots to screens to run plays,” as the versatile receiver has seemingly been all over the place early this offseason. It was reported earlier this month that head coach Todd Monken planned to design touches for Concepcion, who many believed to be one of the best overall playmakers in this year’s draft. It still remains to be seen how he will be deployed in his rookie season, but Concepcion could have a chance to be the most productive receiver in the Browns’ passing game this season, given his ability to operate in the short areas of the field and in the quick passing game. He is a player who will be worth a close watch in training camp, as any reports of significant usage could hint at a quick return in value for fantasy managers who drafted him.

Per Jackson, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp “offered clues” about Monken’s use of motion and how he plans to “hunt mismatches in the quick passing game and use misdirection to create space and passing lanes for the quarterback.” That said, Jackson also believes that either TE Harold Fannin or fellow rookie WR Denzel Boston will be the “leading receiver.” It remains to be seen whether Monken will actually dial up a high target volume for an X-receiver like Boston. He featured WR Zay Flowers, who Concepcion has been likened to, as the top target-earning wide receiver with the Ravens. If Concepcion only gets a few designed looks per game, it will be tough for him to produce reliably in fantasy. If he can be more than that, even while earning targets behind Fannin while Boston stretches the field, Concepcion can return FLEX value in his first season.

Cleveland’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that Jeudy “felt something in his hamstring today,” so he sat out. Coach Todd Monken made clear that he does not give veterans rest days right now, so if a player sits, it’s because they are being cautious with an injury. Today was the Browns’ final mandatory minicamp practice. They will now go on break until training camp begins in July. Early in May, Cabot reported that the team is hoping Jeudy reclaims his WR1 role this season. Browns rookie WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have been taking full rotations with both the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive groups. Yesterday, ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reported Boston “has been one of the Browns’ standouts this summer.” Get well soon, Jeudy. The youngsters look promising.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that Concepcion’s fully guaranteed rookie contract is worth roughly $20 million. Earlier today, we got word that Concepcion and fellow rookie WR Denzel Boston are already taking full rotations with both the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive groups, which is good news. Browns WR Jerry Jeudy currently occupies the No. 1 spot, but that could change if one of the two rookies pens a strong case this summer.

In other words, they’re “going to play a lot” per Jackson. It’s generally a good sign when rookies are already working with the 1s ahead of camp, even if they haven’t literally won the No. 1 role yet. Both players carry some breakout potential, though it’s hard to recommend either as more than a bench redraft league prayer in shallow leagues to open the season given Cleveland’s quarterback situation.

Per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, Concepcion participated in individual and team drills today. Oyefusi’s phrasing is a bit confusing, but we believe he is saying the Browns are closely tracking his Concepcion’s rep count, while allowing Concepcion to practice fully. The 21-year-old rookie underwent a knee scope in March. He told reporters today that he is feeling 100.0 percent healthy.

Cabot later writes that “the Browns really need Jeudy to return to his Pro Bowl form, and are confident he will.” We think her initial, hopeful framing is closer to the truth. Last week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said rookie WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston’s presence has “zero impact” on Jeudy. There’s an awful lot of reassurance going on here. Jeudy posted a 92/1,229/4 receiving line in 2024 before cratering to a 50/602/2 receiving line in 2025. Jeudy is under contract through 2027, but the dead money and salary cap savings are nearly even if designated as a post-June 1 cut next year. Given the Browns’ pass-catching investments over the last two drafts, and Jeudy’s poor 2025 showing, he looks like a dicey pick in fantasy for 2026.

Concepcion, taken by the Browns with the 24th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, said he visited with Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes when he transferred schools following his sophomore season at NC State. “He’s a great guy, a great leader,” Concepcion said of Sanders. “I just can’t wait to build that relationship and build that connection with him.” That Concepcion is excited about playing with Sanders in Cleveland could be noteworthy as Sanders competes with Deshaun Watson — coming off multiple Achilles injuries — for Week 1 starting duties. Sanders in 2025 ranked 38th out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per drop back and 36th in accuracy.

Concepcion (5’11/196) got his start as a three-star recruit for NC State in 2023. He immediately stepped up as an all-purpose weapon, leading the Wolfpack with 839 yards plus 10 touchdowns through the air with another 320 yards on the ground. Concepcion ran for more yards than any of the team’s running backs while also operating as their top wideout. His role dissipated in 2024, and he went for just 460 yards before transferring to Texas A&M. A change in scenery was exactly what Concepcion needed. He rebounded with 919 yards and nine scores on 61 receptions in 2025. Concepcion also scored three additional touchdowns, two on punt returns and one via rushing. He averaged over seven YAC per reception and won the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation’s most versatile player. Despite being an undersized player with a designed-touch skill set, Concepcion was primarily a boundary receiver throughout his collegiate days and he had no issues beating corners in man coverage. While he may ultimately play more out of the slot in the pros, Concepcion’s five-tool skill set could earn him a WR1 role down the line.