Cleveland Browns News

The Cleveland Browns added rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL draft, which makes The Athletic's Zac Jackson wonder if the team will eventually look to trade Cedric Tillman this summer. In addition to adding younger competition, the Browns are installing a new offense under head coach Todd Monken. Jackson lists Jerry Jeudy and Concepcion in the top tier of Browns wideouts, followed by Boston and Isaiah Bond in Tier 2. In Tier 3, he lists Tylan Wallace, Malachi Corley, Tillman, and Jamari Thrash. The Browns are hoping that Bond can take the next step with a full offseason, and Boston is a true outside receiver like Tillman. The Browns' major commitments are to Jeudy and the two rookies, which means, as of right now, Tillman might be the WR5 in Cleveland. The fact that Tillman doesn't contribute on special teams hurts his cause even more. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Tennessee is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is coming off a season in which he caught just 21 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Tillman has failed to get going in his three NFL seasons, making him a cut candidate in dynasty leagues if he stays with the Browns.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman suffered through a disastrous, injury-marred season in 2025. The 26-year-old missed four games with a hamstring injury and finished the year with 21 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. Health has become a recurring issue for Tillman, as he's now missed 16 games across his three NFL seasons. To make matters worse, Tillman may now be facing an uphill battle for playing time in Cleveland. The Browns added Texas A&M wideout K.C. Concepcion with a first-round pick and Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston with a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even if Tillman can work his way into a regular role, the Browns quarterback situation remains unsettled, and the team's passing game projects as one of the worst in the NFL in 2026. As he enters his fourth NFL season, Tillman's dynasty value appears to be minimal.

Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond recorded 18 receptions for 338 yards on 44 targets. While the 23-year-old's numbers don't necessarily leap off the page, he flashed some intriguing big-play upside while working with less-than-ideal quarterback play in Cleveland. Heading into his second NFL season in 2026, Bond could be in the mix for a prominent role with the Browns. Unfortunately for Bond and his dynasty value, Cleveland added a pair of well-regarded wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns used a first-round pick on Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion and a second-round pick on University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom could easily leapfrog Bond on the team's wide receiver depth chart. The Browns quarterback situation also remains as unsettled as ever, which throws the team's overall offensive environment into question. Bond still carries some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value has taken a hit following the NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion said he wants to "build a connection" with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and not veteran QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles), according to Ryan Heckman of the Dawg Pound Daily. Concepcion has previously interacted with Sanders and called him a "great guy" and a "great leader." Although the 21-year-old North Carolina State product apparently thinks Sanders should be the team's starting QB in 2026, reports have surfaced that suggest Watson is the current leader in the QB competition after early offseason workouts. Sanders has more of a future in Cleveland than Watson does, but new head coach Todd Monken might only be focusing on 2026 and who gives the team the best chance to win. Concepcion had a prolific career in college, but he'll have to battle for targets in his rookie season with fellow rookie Denzel Boston and Jerry Jeudy. His short- and long-term fantasy value might look better if Sanders wins the starting job, too.

Cleveland Browns executive vice president JW Johnson said on ESPN that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) "looks great by the way, he's done a great job, he looks healthy, he's in a great head space." The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mark Kay Cabot writes that Watson emerged from the team's voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over second-year QB Shedeur Sanders in the two-man QB competition this offseason. According to sources, Watson has the "inside track" to be named the team's QB1. Head coach Todd Monken is hoping to name his starter under center by the end of the Browns' minicamp that runs from June 9-11. There's still a lot of time between then, but Sanders, a fifth-rounder in 2025, has "plenty of ground to make up." Sanders will really have to impress the Browns' coaching staff to make things more interesting going into training camp this summer. Watson missed the entire 2025 season after twice tearing his Achilles, but he's made great progress and appears to be fully healthy. The 30-year-old isn't expected to stay in Cleveland beyond the 2026 season, but he might give the Browns the best chance to win immediately, and he definitely has much more experience than Sanders. If he wins the QB1 job, Watson will be a low-end QB2 in fantasy as he looks to be the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.

Former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku remains unsigned after a down year led to his release. The 29-year-old veteran ceded a considerable workload to breakthrough rookie Harold Fannin Jr. and finished his ninth season in Cleveland with only 293 yards on 33 catches. Njoku is a plus blocker and a huge target who has long been a menace after the catch, and despite seeing 21 tight ends selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including nine through the first three rounds, there are still tight end-needy teams on the market. With NFL offenses gearing more towards heavy personnel, this recent draft was evidence of the growing need for depth at the position, and Njoku's versatility could still make him a factor in fantasy regardless of where he ultimately lands. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE23, he's a low-cost dart throw depth piece who is likely to see his value spike as soon as he finds a new home.

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson led the team in targets and receptions out of the backfield as a fourth-round rookie in 2025, and his role appears to be secure heading into his second season. After double-dipping at the position last year, the Browns made no additions to the running back room in the 2026 NFL Draft, though they did make improvements to the offense as a whole, which could create more scoring opportunities for both Sampson and 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, who appears to be on track for the season opener after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 16. Cleveland spent the ninth overall pick on offensive tackle Spencer Fano before adding wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston within 15 picks of one another in the first and second rounds, transforming a position of weakness into one of potential strength. The Browns still head into 2026 with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation, though negative game scripts could work in the favor of Sampson if he's able to fully take hold of the dedicated passing back role, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB51, he offers clear upside as a low-cost trade target or add-on to a larger deal.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy led the team with 105 targets in 2025, and despite spending first and second round picks upgrading the position, general manager Andrew Berry told reporters shortly after the second night of the draft that the selections of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston would have "zero impact" on Jeudy. He went on to explain his preference for building a receiver room like a basketball team with a variety of skill sets. In that context, Jeudy is likely to serve as the primary Z-receiver in Todd Monken's offense. So while his role may not be challenged by the drafting of a prototypical slot and a big-bodied X, he's unlikely to see the sort of volume that he has in his first two seasons with the Browns. Poor quarterback play and the highest drop rate since his rookie season led to an abysmal 47.6% reception percentage and only 602 yards, so Jeudy is still capable of topping his WR51 finish from 2025 with heightened efficiency, but a drop to his target share should be expected with the additions of Concepcion and Boston and an anticipated step forward from tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who already saw 103 targets as a rookie.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion has been on the team for less than 48 hours, and he's already facing competition on the depth chart. The Browns selected Concepcion, a Texas A&M product, with the 24th overall pick, suggesting that he had a strong chance to open the year as the team's No. 1 receiver over Jerry Jeudy. That remains true, but his projected target share was scaled back a little after the Browns also drafted Washington's Denzel Boston. The 39th overall pick, Boston's draft capital is also significant enough that he should see a meaningful snap and target share early in the season. In fact, entering the draft, Boston (#34) ranked three spots higher than Concepcion (#37) in RotoBaller's dynasty fantasy football rankings. There's a realistic scenario in which both Concepcion and Boston flourish, especially with how poorly Jeudy has played in past years. Still, any chance of the former Aggie being a standalone alpha in this receiver room has likely faded away.

The Cleveland Browns have selected BYU tight end prospect Carsen Ryan with the 248th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Ryan played for three different schools throughout his college career, culminating in one lone season with BYU. It was easily the best season of his time in the NCAA as he caught 45 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns. The Browns have not been shy about their desire to add a ton of names to the tight end room. They brought in free agent Jack Stoll to offer depth behind Harold Fannin Jr. and Blake Whiteheart, and now they've drafted both Ryan and Joe Royer on Day 3. With such a crowded position group, Ryan is low on the pecking order and faces an uphill battle to achieve meaningful playing time. He can be avoided in most fantasy football leagues.

The Cleveland Browns opened the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green with the 182nd overall pick. A dynamic athlete who began his collegiate career at Boise State, Green's size and speed had some wondering if his best path to an NFL career might come by transitioning to another position, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already gone on record that he will play quarterback. Green joins one of the most crowded quarterback rooms in the league with Deshaun Watson now six seasons removed from his Pro Bowl form with the Texans, and 2025 picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders both making starts in their rookie season. At 6'6" and 235 pounds, Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the Combine after running for more than 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns across his two seasons at Arkansas, making him an intriguing late-round pick in rookie drafts.

The Cleveland Browns have "no plans" to trade quarterback Dillon Gabriel, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The Browns have a very crowded quarterback room once again. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are in the mix to start Week 1, Gabriel remains in a depth role, and Cleveland selected Arkansas quarterback prospect Taylen Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns likely won't carry four quarterbacks into the regular season, and it seems unlikely that they'd trade Sanders, Watson, or Green, so that would presumably position Gabriel as the odd man out. The former third-round pick out of Oregon played 10 games (six starts) as a rookie last year, completing 59.5% of his pass attempts for 937 passing yards, seven passing interceptions, and two interceptions. Schefter says Gabriel isn't a trade candidate, though. It will be interesting to see how the roster unfolds as the 2026 regular season gets closer. One potential solution is to carry Watson and Sanders as the active quarterbacks on gameday, make Gabriel the emergency third quarterback, and have Green start his career on the practice squad.

The Cleveland Browns have selected Cincinnati tight end prospect Joe Royer with the 170th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Royer started his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 season. Across two years with the Bearcats, he caught 79 passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns. He projects best as a rotational depth tight end who can pick up the tough, physical yards needed to move the chains. Royer, Jack Stoll, and Blake Whiteheart will compete for playing time behind incumbent starting tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy's volume took a massive hit after the team selected two wide receivers within the first 39 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Browns selected Texas A&M's KC Concepcion with the 24th overall pick on Thursday, and less than 24 hours later, they drafted Washington's Denzel Boston with the 39th overall pick. These moves are part of the Browns' clear effort to revamp their wide receiver room after an atrocious 2025 season. The Browns ranked last in the NFL in wide receiver yards last year, and Jeudy is a big reason why. Instead of being the clear-cut No. 1 receiver that many people expected, Jeudy produced just 50 catches, 602 yards, and two touchdowns. Time and time again, the former first-round pick has proven that he's incapable of handling a bigger role. Despite numerous opportunities, he has ranked as the WR47 or lower in four of his six seasons. The new coaching staff's decision to inject the offense with new, young weapons could spell disaster for any remaining fantasy value that Jeudy had. He should drop outside the top 50 wide receivers in dynasty fantasy football rankings.

The Cleveland Browns have selected University of Washington wide receiver prospect Denzel Boston with the 39th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's been an offense-heavy draft for the Browns and new head coach Todd Monken. Cleveland selected offensive tackle Spencer Fano and wide receiver KC Concepcion in the first round on Thursday night, and now, they add another receiver on Day 2. The Browns needed a major wide receiver boost after Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman drastically underperformed last year. Boston broke out for 125 catches, 1,715 yards, and 20 touchdowns over his final two seasons at school. He and Concepcion will both compete for an immediate role in the Browns' offense during their rookie seasons. Boston already ranks as the overall WR34 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns did not have a wide receiver on the roster who caught more than 50 passes or two touchdowns in 2025, but the team appears to have given the room an immediate lift with the drafting of Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion with the 24th pick of the first round. Winner of the 2025 Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football, the 6'0", 196-pound Concepcion should find the field right away in a Todd Monken offense that saw Zay Flowers finish as the fantasy WR7 in their final season together in Baltimore. The rest of Cleveland's depth chart is currently comprised of the 27-year-old Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, who has averaged 1.7 receptions per game across his last 15 outings. Concepcion's strongest competition for targets will likely come from tight end Harold Fannin Jr., fresh off a 72-catch rookie campaign, but the biggest hindrance to his early fantasy success will be the quarterback situation in Cleveland. Three different Browns starters in 2025 combined for 3,152 passing yards, better than only the New York Jets, along with 16 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, also bottom-three numbers. If Cleveland can get anything even close to league-average quarterback play from Deshaun Watson, now more than 15 months removed from his second Achilles tear, or a second-year Shedeur Sanders, Concepcion should make an immediate impact from the mid-first round of dynasty rookie drafts.

The Cleveland Browns have selected wide receiver KC Concepcion with the 24th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. Concepcion is the fourth wide receiver selected in this year's opening round, joining Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon. Concepcion began his college career at North Carolina State in 2023 and 2024, before joining the Aggies for his final campaign. In 2025, Concepcion would enjoy his best season, totaling nine receiving scores, which led the SEC, and a career-high 919 yards on 61 receptions. The wideout was named a consensus All-American and was awarded the 2025 Paul Hornung Award. Scouts credit the wide receiver with having a full route tree and the skill set to play physically for his 6-foot frame. Concepcion could immediately carve out a role for fantasy in a weak Cleveland Browns wide receiver room that was led by Jerry Jeudy in 2025, who totaled just 602 yards and two touchdowns.

University of Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano has been selected ninth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Fano played both left and right tackle during his college career, so the Browns could deploy him on either side of the line. The Cleveland quarterback situation is currently unsettled, with veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year signal-callers Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel all in the mix for the starting role. Regardless of who wins the job, Fano's presence in Cleveland should make their life easier. Fano should also improve the situation for Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (knee), who flashed high upside as a rookie in 2025 before going down with a season-ending injury.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the first quarterback to take reps during team drills at voluntary minicamp on Wednesday, according to Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official website. Although Sanders opened the workout, the Browns rotated through quarterbacks, with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel also getting heavily involved. "We were just rotating who was first reps," head coach Todd Monken said. "It was set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them. The plan was to have Shedeur have a few more reps, but to let Deshaun and Shedeur both have reps with the ones." We can't read too much into the breakdown of drills more than four months ahead of the regular season, especially when the difference in the number of reps was marginal. At the same time, it's interesting to see Monken establish a sort of pecking order, allowing Sanders, the less-experienced quarterback but incumbent starter, to get the first nod over Watson (Achilles), who has more experience but is returning from a lengthy injury absence.

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (knee) was spotted on the field during Tuesday's voluntary minicamp, according to Browns beat writer Camryn Justice. It's a positive development after the second-rounder's rookie season was cut short by a knee injury. The Browns drafted the Ohio State star with hopes that he'd eventually take over for Nick Chubb as the team's primary back in Cleveland, and he quickly did in 2025, running for 827 yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries (3.6 yards per tote) in 14 starts. The 22-year-old added 26 catches for 171 yards through the air on 36 targets. Judkins' presence on the field for the start of the voluntary offseason program is a good sign that he should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season. There's plenty to like about Judkins in the long-term, but he'll need to be more efficient in Year 2 in what could once again be a very inconsistent Browns offense if he wants to take the next step and become a reliable RB1 in fantasy football.