KC Concepcion named Browns' most outstanding rookie of training camp

Training Camp Recognition

BEREA, Ohio — KC Concepcion's first training camp with the Cleveland Browns kept getting a little more ambitious. A little more was put on his plate, and seemingly every time, the rookie wide receiver found a way to handle it.

On Monday, that work was recognized when Concepcion was voted the Browns' most outstanding rookie of training camp, earning the Maurice Bassett Award as selected by the local media, as reported by com and Sports Illustrated.

"It feels amazing," Concepcion said, according to com. "Just letting me know what I am doing in camp, it hasn't gone unnoticed."

The No. 24 overall pick out of Texas A&M received all but two first-place votes for the award, a detail reported by com.

Preseason Highlights

Concepcion excelled throughout the summer, making key plays both in practices and in the first week of the preseason. In the game against the Bears, he recorded three receptions for 27 yards, as well as a 14-yard rushing touchdown on a jet sweep, and also ran back a 31-yard punt return, according to com.

Sports Illustrated noted that Concepcion scored a touchdown in Cleveland's first preseason game on a handoff after breaking a tackle.

Concepcion did not play in the final two preseason games, as Cleveland had seen enough by then, com reported. But he also shined in the joint practice with the Bills on Aug. 20, where quarterback Deshaun Watson found him deep twice, including a contested catch down the middle of the field for roughly 40 yards.

Now that training camp is over, Concepcion said he's proud of how he handled everything that was thrown at him.

"Playing and learning all of the different wide receiver positions," he said, as quoted by com. "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."

Background and Expectations

Concepcion, 21, stands 6 feet even and weighs just shy of 200 pounds, according to Sports Illustrated. The outlet described his athleticism and strength combined with his speed as making him a "true legit receiving threat."

The Browns selected Denzel Boston out of Washington in the second round, as reported by both com and Sports Illustrated. Cleveland doubled up on receivers at the top of the draft, with Concepcion as the first receiver brought in during the offseason.

Veteran Jerry Jeudy is in the room, according to Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated also noted comparisons to Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who helped become a 1,000-yard receiver under Todd Monken, the Browns' head coach according to both sources.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that the team expected Concepcion to bring return value and to get the ball in his hands, as reported by com.

Concepcion had a 3% drop rate at Texas A&M in 2025, according to com. However, his consistency won out, even as rookie receiver Denzel Boston was initially seen as the likely top rookie, com added.

As the regular season approaches, Concepcion is expected to have a heavy role in Cleveland's offense this season and beyond, according to Sports Illustrated.