The Cleveland Browns' 2026 NFL draft class is already turning heads—and for good reason. Coming off a 2025 draft that produced Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, GM Andrew Berry shifted his focus to offense this year, using eight of his ten picks to stock the cupboard on that side of the ball. The result? A rookie class that's drawing praise from media analysts, rival GMs, and fans alike, with two players now listed among the top candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Expect plenty of these rookies to make an immediate impact. Offensive tackle Spencer Fano is poised to compete for the starting left tackle job, while receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston are expected to climb near the top of the depth chart. Center Parker Brailsford could push for a starting role, and both tight ends figure to have a place in head coach Todd Monken's system. It's a group built to contribute from Day 1.
ESPN's Ben Solak recently ranked Concepcion and Boston sixth and eighth, respectively, in his preseason Offensive Rookie of the Year rankings. Solak sees Concepcion as a potential WR1 with high-volume potential from the slot, plus explosive playmaking ability after the catch—think Zay Flowers in Baltimore, but with a Browns uniform. He notes that if Cleveland finds itself trailing often, Concepcion's target share could skyrocket. The only caveat? Concerns about the quarterback situation holding him back.
Boston, selected just 15 picks after Concepcion, brings a different skill set. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, he offers a bigger catch radius and a more physical presence—traits that might actually be better suited for a passing game with uncertain accuracy under center. Both receivers have a legitimate shot at becoming the team's top target, and the competition between them adds an exciting layer to the Browns' training camp.
On the betting front, FanDuel lists Concepcion with slightly better odds than Boston for the award, but both sit among the top ten candidates overall. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads the pack in Solak's rankings. On defense, neither safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren nor linebacker Justin Jefferson cracked the preseason favorites list—but that doesn't mean they won't make noise when the season starts.
So, which rookie gets your vote? Will Concepcion's explosive YAC ability steal the show, or will Boston's size and reliability win out? Either way, Cleveland's future is looking bright.