Browns Sign First-Round T Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees
Friday has expectedly been busy with respect to teams working out rookie contracts. The Browns are among those which have finalized a number of deals with draftees.
Cleveland announced today that eight draft picks have been signed. First-rounder Spencer Fano is among them. The Utah offensive lineman was taken ninth overall after the Browns executed a long-anticipated trade down the board. That swap with Kansas City allowed Cleveland to move to the No. 9 slot.
Eyeing an offensive addition in the top 10, the Browns were comfortable with the trade upon finding out the Chiefs would be taking cornerback Mansoor Delane. That left Cleveland with three targets at the time of the swap: Fano, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson was drafted at No. 8, and the Browns went with Fano one pick later to make him the top blocker of the 2026 draft.
After one year at left tackle with Utah, Fano moved to the right side to accommodate Caleb Lomu. Fano thrived in that new role, but his arm length led to questions about the possibility of holding up on the blindside at the NFL level. Nevertheless, he will at least begin his Browns tenure at left tackle. Fano succeeding in that spot or finding another in short order would be critical for a Cleveland O-line which will field five new starters compared to last season.
Denzel Boston is the next highest-drafted rookie to sign with the Browns today. The Browns gave him a fully guaranteed contract worth $12.385MM over four years, including a $5.467MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The Washington receiver was on the radar of plenty of teams leading up to the draft, and Cleveland considered trading back into the Day 1 order to acquire him. Instead, Boston remained on the board through to pick No. 39. He will look to contribute right away for a Browns team desperate for improved production and efficiency in the passing game.
Given today’s news, only first-round receiver KC Concepcion and second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren have yet to sign their rookie deals. That comes as little surprise, with many other players selected in the same range as them still unsigned at this point. In any event, the Browns will begin their rookie minicamp with most of necessary work already done on the contract front.
Here is an updated look at where things stand with the Browns’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Browns Draft WR KC Concepcion At No. 24
Entering the draft pegged as wanting a tackle and a wide receiver in Round 1, the Browns have checked both boxes. After moving down from sixth overall to choose Utah tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9, Cleveland landed Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion at No. 24.
The Browns came into the draft with a crying need at receiver, especially after Jerry Jeudy‘s production fell off a cliff in 2025. Jeudy declined from 90 catches and 1,229 yards in 2024 to 50 and 602 in those categories in 2025. No other returning Browns receiver managed to reach 25 catches, and they did not add anyone of significance to their WR corps before the draft. Enter Concepcion, who will give the Browns another exciting young target to join second-year tight end Harold Fannin.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Concepcion was popular on the league’s “30” visits circuit after a productive three-year college career divided between North Carolina State and Texas A&M. He burst on the scene as hands down the Wolfpack’s best offensive weapon in 2023. Over 13 games, Concepcion racked up 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. With 320 yards on 41 carries, he was also electrifying on the ground.
Concepcion earned ACC Rookie of the Year and second-team All-ACC honors in his first season at NC State, but he followed that up with his least productive college campaign. He caught 53 balls for just 460 yards (good for a paltry 8.7 YPC) and six scores in a dozen games. He was also a non-factor as a runner in 2024, a 19-carry, 36-yard campaign.
While Concepcion played the vast majority of his snaps as a slot receiver at NC State, his role changed after he left for College Station. The Aggies used Concepcion as an outside receiver on 65.3% of snaps, and he more than held his own in piling up 61 catches for 919 yards (15.1 YPC) and an SEC-best nine scores. Concepcion only carried the ball 10 times, but he found the end zone twice more and averaged 7.5 yards per rush. Also a force on special teams last year, Concepcion averaged a lofty 18.2 yards and hit pay dirt twice on 25 punt returns. He was named a consensus All-American and an All-SEC performer for his efforts. The 21-year-old also earned the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the nation’s most versatile player.
Although Concepcion regularly dazzled in college, he did have issues securing the ball. Concepcion dropped 19 passes in college, but his stock nonetheless rose during the pre-draft process. Whether the Browns start Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson at quarterback in 2026, they will count on Concepcion to emerge as a major threat.
WR KC Concepcion Rising Up Draft Board Despite Maturity Concerns
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is “considered a riser” as the 2026 NFL Draft nears, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. Once seen as a borderline first-rounder, he now seems likely to hear his name called on the first night.
Concepcion, 21, was a three-year starter in college with two solid seasons at NC State before taking a sizable leap in 2025 in College Station. He recorded 61 catches for 919 receiving yards (15.0 yards per reception), many of which he picked up after the catch. He is a smooth, athletic separator with grit and toughness at the catch point and in the run game, though his drop rate is worryingly high.
Altogether, Concepcion profiles as a first-round talent at one of the league’s most important (and expensive) positions. Hitting on a rookie receiver offers a ton of surplus value relative to the exploding positional market, and his blend of athleticism, production, and versatility as a gadget weapon on offense and returner on special teams should seal his first-round status.
However, “teams have had to dig through questions about maturity” regarding Concepcion, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. However, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has praised his former star wideout’s “tremendous” work ethic (via The Athletic’s Dane Brugler), so the source for these concerns is not clear. Concepcion also spoke at the Combine about overcoming a stutter and the resulting negative treatment he received, demonstrating some resiliency.
If clubs are comfortable with Concepcion’s maturity level, then he should be drafted sometime on Thursday night. A fall out of the first round would indicate more significant issues that have been flagged by multiple teams.
49ers Host WRs Omar Cooper Jr., KC Concepcion
49ers general manager John Lynch recently indicated the team is likely to make at least one draft investment at the receiver position. A number of first-round options have received a look.
Omar Cooper Jr. spent the deadline for top-30 visits meeting with San Francisco, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That completed a busy pre-draft process in his case. Cooper has visited numerous teams recently, and the Indiana product is one of several receivers with a strong chance of being selected during the middle or late stages of the first round. The 49ers own pick No. 27.
San Francisco also hosted KC Concepcion on a visit earlier this week, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. By means of a strong one-and-done showing at Texas A&M, Concepcion established himself as a first-round option for many teams. He has also received widespread interest leading up to the draft, so it comes as little surprise the 49ers have taken part in a top-30 visit as well. Denzel Boston is another WR prospect San Francisco has taken a close look at.
Free agent additions Mike Evans and Christian Kirk are set to top the depth chart for 2026. With Brandon Aiyuk unlikely to play again for the 49ers and Jauan Jennings set to sign elsewhere on the open market, though, adding depth via the draft would be a reasonable approach from Lynch and Co. On the other hand, receiver is not considered as much of an immediate need as other positions, so spending a first-rounder in that regard could leave the team thin elsewhere.
The 49ers have a second-round selection as well as four picks in the fourth round. Using one of those on a depth WR prospect could of course be in store, but the team will have done its homework on Day 1 options when on the clock Thursday night.
Titans, Giants In Play For Carnell Tate; Saints Viewed As WR’s Floor?
A host of wide receivers could go off the board in Round 1, but the order in which this will unfold appears foggy. However, the question as to who is this draft’s top option at the position looks to have been answered.
As our Ely Allen noted over the weekend, Carnell Tate has created some distance between himself and the field at receiver. Despite not being Ohio State’s go-to option — that is likely 2027 top-five pick Jeremiah Smith — Tate is viewed as the clear frontrunner to be the first wideout off the board. A top-five landing spot is in play for one of this draft’s high-profile Buckeyes, and falling out of the top 10 is highly unlikely.
The Titans and Giants are in play for Tate at Nos. 4 and 5, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who views the player as a top-10 lock. No. 9 may not be relevant to Tate’s draft destination, either, with ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid adding the Saints “would quickly add” him if he remains available at No. 8.
New Orleans has been linked to pursuing pass-catching help in this draft. The team would align Tate with former Ohio State wideout Chris Olave in this scenario, one that would require Jeremiyah Love and some of the Ohio State defenders — perhaps all three — going off the board before Tate to become reality. If a team is going to double down on a program at receiver, Ohio State is probably the one to pick. The Buckeyes have sent five receivers to the first round since 2022 (Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka) and developed 2019 third-rounder-turned-Washington WR1 Terry McLaurin.
Tennessee, New York and New Orleans each brought Tate in for a “30” visit, gathering intel on a player who caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns last season (the Browns, Chiefs and Commanders also met with him). Tate does not have a 1,000-yard college season on his resume, but his two years as a Buckeyes regular overlapped with Smith’s first two Columbus slates. Smith will be consistently linked to the top five of what looks like a more talent-rich 2027 draft. For now, Tate is the Ohio State prize on the offensive side. He joins Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs as Buckeyes products who could be top-10 choices next week.
The Saints traded Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks at last year’s deadline, with the deep threat unlikely to re-sign with New Orleans. Shaheed re-signed with Seattle. The Saints did not make a notable move at receiver in free agency, effectively clearing the runway here. It would stand to reason that Makai Lemon would be in play for New Orleans at No. 8 if Tate goes earlier, but Breer adds there does not appear to be a consensus on this class’ second-best receiver prospect.
Different teams see USC’s Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. as the second-best WR in this draft, per Breer (Ely covered Concepcion’s Prospect Profile on Sunday). We heard last week some teams even have Washington’s Denzel Boston as a top-two or top-three wideout in the class. This receiver crop, like a few in recent years, is also viewed as deep, potentially influencing teams to wait on the position and address other needs earlier.
The Titans did not end up cutting Calvin Ridley, but it is quite possible the 31-year-old target will not be on their 2027 roster. Tennessee also added Wan’Dale Robinson to reunite with Brian Daboll. Losing Robinson, the Giants gave Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin low-cost deals to play alongside Malik Nabers. But the team may lack a No. 2 target going into the draft.
Prospect Profile: KC Concepcion
There are three position groups from which pundits expect four or more players to get drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The edge rusher and offensive tackle positions are nearly guaranteed to take up at least eight spots together in the first round. There are three wide receivers who are widely expected to hear their names called on Day 1, and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion is one of a few pass catchers hoping to make it four.
Concepcion’s collegiate career began as an under-the-radar, three-star recruit out of Chambers HS (N.C.). Though he held offers from such programs as Florida State, Michigan State, Mississippi State, and Penn State, Concepcion focused on his in-state options. After taking official visits to NC State and North Carolina in back-to-back weekends before his senior year, Concepcion committed to the Wolfpack to continue his playing career.
After enrolling early as a freshman, Concepcion became an immediate impact player in his first year in Raleigh. He drove NC State’s offense nearly single-handedly, leading the team in receptions (71), receiving yards (839), and receiving touchdowns (10); the second-best total in each category on the team was 28 catches, 247 yards, and three touchdowns. If it wasn’t for the Wolfpack’s dual-threat quarterback in 2023, Concepcion would’ve also been the team’s leading rusher, as well. He didn’t score any touchdowns on the ground, but his 320 rushing yards surpassed the totals of all four running backs with carries on the team that year, despite Concepcion having fewer carries than three of them.
Concepcion’s usage in his sophomore season dropped drastically with a different quarterback. He still led the team in receptions (53) and receiving touchdowns (6), but his 460 yards through the air were only third-best. He opted to enter the transfer portal and, after receiving much more interest as a transfer recruit, committed to the Aggies. In his final year of collegiate play, Concepcion earned consensus All-American honors as an All-Purpose player and as a return man. He led the Aggies in receptions (61), receiving yards (919), and receiving touchdowns (9), though sophomore wideout Mario Craver (59-917-4) was right behind him. After only returning five punts in two years at NC State, Concepcion also displayed elite return ability in College Station, averaging 18.2 yards per return and taking two punts to the house.
Part of what makes Concepcion such an effective return man is something that also makes him so effective as a rusher and receiver. Elite agility makes Concepcion incredibly difficult to contain once he gets some space, with almost half his yards coming after the catch last year. He may not have that top-end speed once he gets going, but he can fluidly accelerate and decelerate to make tacklers miss, to pull away when breaking during a route, or to make adjustments to the ball while it’s in the air. He’s an aggressive offensive weapon who often uses instincts to find the open areas of the field.
There are only a few things that may drop him out of the first round. He’s not the biggest prospect, so some teams won’t like him as anything but a slot receiver. His instinctual route-running can also lead to anticipated passes coming up in a different area than he’s in. Concepcion could also stand to be a bit more aware of his hands. When coming out of breaks, he’s often late bringing his hands up. As a result, he too often ends up with awkward body catches or, worse, drops; he totaled 19 drops in three years of collegiate play and muffed a punt in his final game as an Aggie.
As a prospect, Concepcion ranks very close to first-round status. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network slots Concepcion as the 29th-best overall prospect and the sixth-best wide receiver. Dane Brugler of The Athletic places him at No. 21 overall as WR4 of the class, while Todd McShay of The Ringer has him 33rd as the sixth receiver in the class. A recent report indicated that only two wide receivers are expected to be drafted in the first 15 picks. An early run could have helped Concepcion solidify his first-round status, even if he were the sixth receiver off the board, but a slow start at the position could space things out more and drive him into the second round.
Concepcion’s draft stock also took a hit awhile back after he underwent a “routine and preventative” knee scope at the hands of the Cowboys’ Dr. Daniel Cooper. The procedure held him out of drills at the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day, but he’s expected to be ready to participate in rookie minicamps after the draft. It will be interesting to see if he can sneak into the first round or if a late run of pass catchers will push him to Day 2.
Browns Meet With WR KC Concepcion, TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Browns are clearly lacking receiving weapons as the 2026 NFL Draft nears. Armed with two first-round picks, they could snag at least one pass catcher with a high selection. The team hosted a pair of likely first-rounders in Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq on Wednesday, per reports from Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Cleveland is light at wideout, especially after Jerry Jeudy‘s production plummeted last season. Jeudy went from 90 catches and 1,229 yards in 2024 to 50 and 602 in those categories in 2025. No other returning Browns receiver even reached the 25-catch mark, and they have not added anyone of note to the group this offseason. That explains their interest in Concepcion and several other draft-bound receivers. Concepcion may be more realistic for the Browns’ second first-rounder (No. 24) than their top selection (No. 6).
The Browns are not expected to re-sign longtime starting tight end David Njoku, who remains a free agent, after finding a replacement last year. A third-round rookie in 2025, Harold Fannin was a rare bright spot in Cleveland’s offense. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder led the Browns in catches (72), yards (731) and receiving touchdowns (six). Fannin’s presence suggests the Browns do not need to make a major investment in a tight end. However, as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator from 2023-25, new Browns head coach Todd Monken made use of the Mark Andrews–Isaiah Likely pass-catching duo.
Monken and the Browns will at least consider pairing Sadiq with Fannin, though it is unclear if they are interested in using a top-10 pick on the position. Sadiq may not be there at 24, yet six could be too rich in this case. Only three tight ends (including Kellen Winslow II to the Browns in 2004) have come off the board at No. 6 or higher since 2000.
Regardless of whether the Browns take him, Sadiq looks like a shoo-in first-rounder after a second-team All-America season and a spectacular performance at the Combine. He has a notable Cleveland connection in quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who played with Sadiq at Oregon in 2024. That may not matter, though, considering Gabriel is not expected to start for the Browns in 2026.
Chargers, Bills, Patriots Book Visits With Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion
As a potential first-round pick, Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is drawing considerable interest leading up to April’s NFL draft. The Dolphins booked a visit with the 21-year-old Concepcion last week. The Chargers, Bills and Patriots are also on the list, per reports from Ryan Fowler of Commanding The Huddle and Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal.
Concepcion began his college career at NC State, where he got off to a scintillating start in 2023. As a true freshman, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder secured 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games. He was also a threat on the ground, where he accrued 320 rushing yards on 41 attempts (7.8 per carry). Thanks to his dual-threat prowess, Concepcion was the ACC Rookie of the Year and a second-team all-conference performer.
Concepcion’s numbers dipped the next season, in which he pulled in 53 catches for 460 yards and six scores in 12 games. He also didn’t pose much of a threat as a rusher; despite adding two more TDs, he ran for just 36 yards on 19 attempts in his last year as a member of the Wolfpack.
Concepcion was primarily a slot receiver at NC State. Wanting to broaden his horizons, he transferred to Texas A&M last year.The decision paid off for Concepcion, whose stock is high in the wake of a consensus All-America and All-SEC campaign.
While Concepcion continued to line up in the slot with the Aggies, he also got some work on the outside and made a major impact on special teams. As a receiver, Concepcion amassed 61 catches for 919 yards (a career-high 15.1 YPC) and an SEC-best nine touchdowns. He logged a mere 10 carries, but with 75 yards and another TD, he made the most of his few opportunities in that department. After returning just five punts at NC State, Concepcion took back 25 last year. In finding the end zone twice and averaging 18.2 yards per return, Concepcion posted excellent results.
Los Angeles (No. 22), Buffalo (26) and New England (31) are all on track to pick near the bottom of the first round, where Concepcion could come off the board. Interestingly, all three teams are among a handful of clubs on Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown‘s wish list for a potential trade, but nobody has caved to Philadelphia’s demands yet. A Brown trade may not occur until at least June (if at all). With the draft long over by then, teams will have a better idea of whether to pursue Brown in the summer.
The Chargers have receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and 2025 second-rounder Tre Harris under contract for next season. However, Johnston only has a year left on his rookie contract, and Keenan Allen remains a free agent.
The Bills have already spent this year’s second-rounder on veteran wideout D.J. Moore, whom they acquired from the Bears earlier this month. But their receiving corps isn’t especially strong beyond Moore and slot target Khalil Shakir. General manager Brandon Beane could double down on upgrading the area by using his first two selections on Concepcion and Moore.
Meanwhile, although the Patriots handed Romeo Doubs a four-year, $68MM contract in free agency, the former Packer has never performed like a No. 1 receiver. The AFC champion Pats released their most productive wideout from last season, Stefon Diggs, leaving room for another significant addition. As things stand, Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams comprise New England’s top five receivers. We’ll find out in a month if Concepcion will join the group.
KC Concepcion To Visit Dolphins
After a prolific college career divided between NC State and Texas A&M, KC Concepcion is expected to come off the board early in this year’s draft. The Dolphins are among the possibilities for Concepcion, who has booked an upcoming visit with the team, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Concepcion was by far NC State’s best receiver as a true freshman in 2023. Not only did he rack up 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games, but he also added 320 rushing yards on 41 attempts (7.8 per carry). He earned ACC Rookie of the Year and second-team All-ACC honors as a result.
Concepcion’s production fell the next season, during which he put up 53 catches, 460 yards and six scores in 12 games. While Concepcion only rushed 19 times for 36 yards, he did add two TDs on the ground.
Concepcion was mostly a slot receiver at NC State, which played a role in his decision to transfer to Texas A&M ahead of the 2025 campaign. Lining up in the slot and on the outside with the Aggies, Concepcion formed an excellent receiving duo with fellow transfer portal pickup Mario Craver. Concepcion caught 61 passes for 919 yards (a personal-best 15.1 YPC) and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns. He finished with just 10 carries, but he picked up 75 yards and another TD. In what went down as Concepcion’s lone year at Texas A&M and final season in college, he was a consensus All-American and an All-SEC performer.
As the 21-year-old Concepcion prepares to enter the NFL, the Dolphins are among logical fits. Outside of running back De’Von Achane, Miami is starved for offensive weapons. The team is especially lacking at receiver, having released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos for a package of draft picks, including the 30th overall selection this year. Thanks in part to his issues with drops (he had 19 in college), Concepcion may not be an option in the top half of the first round. That might rule out the Dolphins taking him 11th overall, but with Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com ranking Concepcion as the 33rd-best prospect in the class, they could reel him in at No. 30 or 43.
Caleb Banks Underwent Surgery On Broken Foot
Injuries during the pre-draft process always shake up big boards around the NFL, and this year will be no different.
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks surged up post-Combine rankings after an impressive athletic performance from his 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame. He may now head in the other direction after undergoing surgery on a fractured fourth metatarsal last week, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
Banks suffered the broken foot the day before his testing session, making his numbers – including a 9-foot-6 broad jump – all the more impressive. However, the injury may also be a concern for some teams, especially after Banks missed most of the 2025 college season with a foot injury.
The injury was discovered during a pre-draft visit to an undisclosed team, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Banks is expected to return to the field by June, so he likely will be sidelined for rookie minicamp, most (if not all) of OTAs, and potentially mandatory minicamp. Currently viewed as a late first-round prospect, Banks seems unlikely to rise into the top 20 after news of his injury, though it only takes one team to have confidence in his recovery.
In other pre-draft medical news, Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion underwent a “routine and preventative” knee scope last week, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He played in all but one of his teams’ games in college with All-SEC honors for his contributions as a receiver and returner in 2025.
The 5-foot-11 wideout did not participate in athletic testing in Indianapolis, though he did run receiver drills on the field. His surgery will likely sideline him for the Aggies’ Pro Day on March 25, but Concepcion is expected to be ready for rookie minicamp after the draft. Concepcion is also viewed as a borderline first-rounder, but preventative arthroscopic surgery on a player without a significant injury history is unlikely to negatively impact his draft stock.