Going into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was an expectation that a wide receiver would be brought on for expected QB1 Shedeur Sanders. Now, following KC Concepcion, the 24th overall pick, some concerns have emerged.

As soon as the live coverage confirmed KC Concepcion, the visuals pointed to a high drop rate, making the receiver risky as a late first-round signing. In 2025, the 22-year-old from Texas A&M had a drop rate in the range of (10.3% - 11.7%).

In 2024 and 2025, he had 19 drops, roughly about 7-10% of all attempted passes. Tally that with Shedeur's 7:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year, and that could make this prospect risky.

While Concepcion's nine receiving touchdowns were tied for the league-high in the SEC last year, his 3.82 yards after contact per reception ranked fairly low at 16th last year.

When Concepcion gets the ball in space, defenses are instantly on the back foot. His burst is immediate, and his top-end speed separates him.

But now comes the bigger question: Who is pulling the strings?

Will Shedeur Sanders be QB1 for the Browns next year?

Last week, the Cleveland Browns had their first meaningful practice, where all eyes were on who was receiving more snaps and new head coach Todd Monken's faith in the QBs ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Monken's comments, as per NFL reporter Jori Epstein, later highlighted how the structure was intentionally created to assess Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with the plan being for the latter to receive more reps, hinting at a future QB1 role.

“He was first man up,” Monken said Tuesday afternoon. “The way it was going to turn out, Shedeur was going to get more reps, some of it in [seven on seven] some of it in [11 on 11]. Team periods were slowed down [and] set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them."

Some analysts also spoke about the need for quarterback protection ahead of the draft, and the franchise's very first pick (ninth overall) reflected the same, with Spencer Fano being drafted.

It will now be interesting to see how this Shedeur Sanders link-up works with KC Concepcion. All said and done, the first-round prospect does bring an agile pacey style that could work well for the Browns in the 2026 season.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Aadesh Dhote

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote