The Cleveland Browns have signed all but one member of their 2026 NFL Draft class — but the lone holdout is a player they’re counting on in a major way.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion, the No. 24 overall pick, remains the lone unsigned rookie after the Browns confirmed safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren put pen to paper on Thursday.
Concepcion was one of two unsigned Browns draft picks entering rookie minicamp last week. With McNeil-Warren now in the fold, all eyes shift squarely to the first-round wideout.
Rookie holdouts are typically less about the total value of the contract — which is largely slotted under the NFL’s rookie wage scale — and more about negotiating finer details such as signing bonus structure, payment timing, offset language, or guaranteed terms.
Cleveland has been here before. Last year, running back Quinshon Judkins — the No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 draft — remained unsigned through training camp and into the preseason. During that time, the Browns and Judkins’ camp navigated a league investigation for an off-field issue. He ultimately signed on the eve of the regular season, well after his teammates had established chemistry and rhythm.
The lost ramp-up time cost him early playing time. Judkins debuted in Week 2.
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Concepcion is not a depth piece. The former Texas A&M standout is expected to be a key piece of the passing game.
Cleveland selected him No. 24 overall to inject life into a receiving corps with his speed and playmaking ability. In his lone season with the Aggies, Concepcion totaled 61 receptions for 919 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 10 carries for 75 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
His selection alongside second-round receiver Denzel Boston marked the first time in franchise history, dating back to 1950, that the Browns used two top-40 picks on wide receivers in the same draft class.
Despite remaining unsigned, Concepcion participated in rookie minicamp. He can continue taking part in voluntary offseason work, but will need to be under contract before training camp opens to avoid a holdout situation.
KC Concepcion Draws Zay Flowers Comparison
Concepcion has already drawn praise for his crisp route-running and ability to create separation, two traits that made him one of the Browns’ most intriguing rookie additions. His new head coach, Todd Monken, sees similarities between Concepcion’s game and that of Zay Flowers, whom he coached in Baltimore during Flowers’ rise to becoming a two-time Pro Bowler.
“There are some traits that are similar to [Flowers],” Browns coach Todd Monken said, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. “But I love when people spoke about KC, it reminded me of Zay in that, in terms of how he practiced, what he brings in every day. And if you’re looking for that comparison, that I can compare, I believe he’s going to bring that like Zay did.”
The Browns also have Jerry Jeudy on the roster as a veteran presence. Jeudy is coming off a down year, catching just 50 passes for 602 yards and a touchdown. However, he’s still expected to enter the season as the No. 1 option, despite the additions of Boston and Concepcion.
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