The Browns have now signed their full 2026 draft class to rookie deal. First-round receiver KC Concepcion has put pen to paper on his first professional contract, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Concepcion, 21, was the No. 24 pick in April’s draft. He is set to earn just over $20MM in fully guaranteed money across the next four years, including a signing bonus worth roughly $11MM, per OverTheCap.
All first-rounders have fully guaranteed contracts with values that are set by the CBA’s rookie pay scale. That leaves less to be negotiated between player and team, though payment schedules have become a common battleground. The Browns came to terms with Spencer Fano, their other first-round pick, and the rest of their draft class far quicker than with Concepcion, indicating there were a few sticking points in his deal.
Now, all 10 of the Browns’ 2026 draft picks are under contract for the next four years, including Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, who went in the second round, 15 picks after Concepcion Boston was viewed as a potential first-round talent by some, as was Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who Cleveland traded up to snag at No. 58 overall.
That core quartet represents a second strong draft in a row for Browns general Andrew Berry. Last year’s No. 5 pick, Mason Graham, did not flash as a rookie but still profiles as a long-term anchor for the defensive line. Second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, and fellow Day 2 picks Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin both carved out clear roles in the offense moving forward. If either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders can evolve into a competent starter – or the team finally lands their long-awaited franchise QB in the 2027 draft – the Browns would seem to have all the pieces to finally move back into playoff contention in the next few years.
Yea!!! We now have half a roster of at least competent professional football players. The next question is this: Do they have enough $$ to sign some vet FA’s and waivered people at the end of camp that can be quality backups and plug holes in the worst set of special teams in the NFL last year.
Kickoff and punt coverage were horrible last season, and so was the return game. 2 Blocked punts, and the next to worst net punting avg. in the league last year because coverage teams couldn’t tackle. They were also last in kickoff return yardage average per game, and their longest return was all of 34 yards. The stats on special teams were all bad, except the team was 24 of 27 in field goals made, and missed only 1 extra point.
When you have $$$ tied up in bad assets, special teams suffer. Last year’s team wasn’t deep or very talented. Let’s see if the GM can do something about it this year.