The Cleveland Browns open the 2026 NFL season on Sunday when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It is a big day for the Browns as it will be the first time defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg is calling the shots on defense, the first time Todd Monken will work an NFL sideline as a head coach, and the first time quarterback Deshaun Watson will start a game since October of 2024. (How long he remains in that role is very much to be determined.)
Cleveland comes in with a completely rebuilt offensive line, two shiny new rookies in wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, and defensive end Jared Verse taking over for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Expectations and hope are not high for the Browns, especially with the club starting the season with consecutive road games. But Cleveland has won three in a row against the Jaguars, including the past two times they were the road team, so Sunday may go better than expected.
It is the Browns and Jaguars to open the season, and here is everything you need to know about the game.

#Browns #cleveland #sunday #game

For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Browns double-dipped early at a key offensive position in the NFL Draft. In 2025, Cleveland took Quinshon Judkins in round two and took Dylan Sampson in round four. This year, Cleveland took wide receiver KC Concepcion in round one and followed up with Denzel Boston in round two. Similarly to 2025, a 2026 rookie has seemingly locked down a starting role in this offense.
The staff over at ESPN went through and gave the rookie outlook for all 32 NFL teams, and noted that Concepcion is going to be a real weapon for this offense and wants to get him the ball early and often:
Concepcion has been a dynamic addition to the Browns' offense. Coach Todd Monken is using Concepcion in a role similar to the one he created for Zay Flowers in Baltimore, with plenty of motion and a variety of touches. Monken envisions a versatile role for Concepcion as a rookie -- possibly as a punt returner, too. "We've got to find a number of ways to get him the ball with his explosiveness, his quickness, his contact balance," Monken said. "He's going to be a real weapon for us."
Boston also got plenty of praise, with ***** ysts saying his "contested-catch ability and reliable hands" should have him playing the X receiver next to Concepcion. Overall, there is a lot to like about what Cleveland is building on offense.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns rookie WR seems to have locked down a starting role

#Browns #rookie #took

Last year's Cleveland Browns offense lacked playmakers who could make things happen after the catch. As a result, the team wasn't very creative or explosive through the air, aside from Harold Fannin Jr., who was fantastic as a rookie after the catch.
General manager Andrew Berry knew this had to change, and that played a part in the team drafting wide receiver KC Concepcion in the first round. Now, with the regular season just around the corner and training camp in the books, Concepcion has been awarded the Maurice Bassett Award by the media for the most outstanding rookie of training camp this year.
Concepcion absolutely deserved this award; you couldn't go to a Browns training camp practice this year without seeing him make several head-turning plays at every practice he was a part of. If the Browns offense is going to be better and more explosive this year, he will play a big part in it improving with his explosiveness and ability to create in the open field.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns WR KC Concepcion wins Maurice Bassett award

#Browns #part #maurice

There's no better feeling in fantasy football than digging a diamond from the mines of the waning rounds of your preseason draft. Watching an underrated rookie thrive or a veteran emerge as a star after years of middling performances can be a league-winning boost -- or it can be the balm needed to heal the burn of, say, drafting Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. in the first and second rounds.
This year's draft will be loaded with late-round talent capable of changing the trajectory of your team. A dearth of tight end and wide receiver help means guys who'll average 15 points per week can be found around the time the first guy in your league gets too drunk to finish things and winds up autodrafting three kickers. Today, I've teamed up with FTW's resident fantasy football expert Mike "Yaj" Boyajian to break down our top 10 sleepers this fall.
Let's break down this year's Round 11 and later sleepers, starting with... whew, buddy, a Cleveland Brown. Surely this won't make us look stupid come December!
No, I don't love leading off with a Brown either. But Cleveland's quarterback situation is a mess. It was in 2025 as well, when a rookie with run after catch ability emerged as the team's top target. Harold Fannin Jr. had an average target distance under six yards downfield, but turned that into 71 catches and 731 yards thanks to 95 yards after catch over expected (YACOE). More than half his output came with the ball already in his hands.
Enter Concepcion, who could supplant Jerry Jeudy at the top of the depth chart should he continue to forget how to play football. The Texas A&M star is a goblin after the catch, boosting his quarterbacks by creating ****** e and picking up first downs. He averaged 7.2 yards after catch per reception last season at Texas A&M. That's exactly what Cleveland needs – and potential balm for your fantasy team if he's around come round 12.

#brown

The worst position group for the Cleveland Browns last year was arguably the wide receiver group. GM Andrew Berry took on the ****** ignment to improve this group and get them out of the hole of being ranked #32 last year. In case you are scoring at home, that is dead last.
In the April draft, Berry selected KC Concepcion of Texas A&M in Round 1, and then with his very next pick he chose Washington's Denzel Boston.
RELATED: 2026 GAVE FANS WHAT THEY WANT
Each NFL club usually retains five or six receivers. For the Browns, Jerry Jeudy and the two rookies are a lock. The coaching staff really likes the development of Isaiah Bond. That leaves two spots.
Berry signed Tylan Wallace from the Baltimore Ravens, who is a receiver but was inked for his return skills. But still, he would count as one of the six spots.

#last

Texas A&M's 2026 season opener is just a mere two weeks away, as the Aggies will open the new campaign against Missouri State in Kyle Field, officially kicking off coach Mike Elko's third season at the helm. While it would take several articles to accurately recap A&M's previous 13 practices, including last Saturday's scrimmage, this Saturday's final media-viewing practice was certainly the most informative.
Instead of giving away most of what we saw on Saturday, it's always important to start from the beginning: After making the College Football Playoff for the first time last season, Mike Elko's offseason premonition that "10 to 12" players would be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft came true, as a record 10 starters were picked, including star wide receiver KC Concepcion going 24th overall to the Cleveland Browns.
Elko's premonition helped prepare for the offseason departures, as 65% of the 2025 roster returns, combined with 17 transfer portal additions and nearly 30 freshmen from the 2026 signing class. While losing 15 starters on both sides of the ball certainly looks like a rebuild, that is far from the case.
With key starters returning at every position, led by redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, junior wide receiver Mario Craver, safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, and linebacker Daymion Sanford, four of five team captains will be counted on to lead on the field and in the locker room.
On Saturday, all five players and several others stood out for the final time before the season opener, while a couple of position battles may have been decided as well. Here are three key takeaways from Texas A&M's practice on Saturday.

#texas #mike #opener

For those who have covered or watched KC Concepcion over the last three years, his breakout moments for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL preseason have come as no surprise.
From being named the ACC's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 to dominating the SEC and helping lead the Aggies to the College Football Playoff last season, the sky was always the limit for Concepcion. After becoming the first Texas A&M wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Mike Evans was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, the former Aggie has flashed on and off the field.
According to NFL writer Zac Jackson, Concepcion was named the MVP of the Browns-Bills joint practice on Thursday for his outstanding performance.
Concepcion's highlights torching defensive backs are outstanding, but his ability as a punt returner and specialist doesn't get enough attention. The former Texas A&M wideout had a massive 31-yard punt return in Cleveland's preseason loss to the Bears, which could've ended with Concepcion in the end zone if he didn't run into the turf monster.
During the offseason, the topic of conversation surrounding the Browns' franchise has been focused on the quarterback situation. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are all competing for the starting spot, but none of them have impressed. The inconsistency and unknowns have caused doom and gloom for most Cleveland fans, but Concepcion's shine has helped brighten their spirits a bit.

#concepcion #Browns #texas #named

Through a dozen preseason practices, Texas A&M's loaded wide receiver rotation is one of the team's biggest strengths heading into the 2026 season, even after losing KC Concepcion to the NFL, who led the Aggies with 919 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns last season. Now led by star junior Mario Craver, fellow junior and former five-star prospect Terry Bussey has shined during fall camp and could be headed toward a career year.
After the Aggies' closed practice on Friday, Bussey, for the first time during fall camp, spoke to the local media in attendance, discussing his weight gain, adding a solid 10 pounds, mostly muscle, to his frame, which was necessary given his injury history that kept in him behind the 8 ball after suffering an ankle injury this spring, and was beat up for most of the 2025 season.
Bussey's play during several preseason practices has provided Aggie fans and those of us in the media with a highlight reel of one-handed catches, while his route running has been crisp and equally impressive, and coach Mike Elko and first-year OC Holmon Wiggins, who served as A&M's wide receivers coach over the past two seasons, have consistently praised Bussey's football IQ.
Bussey's elite versatility provided Mike Elko the option for him to play at corner or wide receiver, and given the former blue-chip prospect's size and natural playmaking ability, playing receiver was the best route. Right now, Bussey is contending for the starting Z receiver job with redshirt sophomore Ashton Bethel-Roman, but is expected to be a significant part of each offensive game plan no matter his starting or reserve status.
Bussey spoke for nearly eight minutes, looking more confident than ever, while praising several of his wide receiver cohorts who continue to build chemistry with quarterback Marcel Reed, who is entering his second full starting season.

#receiver

After an outstanding NFL debut in the Cleveland Browns preseason game against the Chicago Bears, a former Texas A&M wide receiver made some fiery comments about his mindset on the gridiron.
KC Concepcion showcased why he was a first-round pick in his first professional contest, hauling in three receptions and 27 yards, while also rushing for a 14-yard touchdown and securing a 31-yard punt return. His performance drew plenty of attention on social media, with many touting Concepcion as the NFL's next star wideout.
He has electric breakaway speed, quick cuts and a determination to reach the end zone, but he also doesn't lack confidence. In a press conference following one of the Browns' practices, the former Aggie wide receiver spoke to the media about his mindset when he steps on the field.
Concepcion transferred to Texas A&M after two seasons at NC State, where he was named ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year. He made an immediate impact for the Aggies in his junior campaign, recording 919 yards on 61 receptions and nine touchdowns, while also returning two punts for touchdowns. Concepcion won the prestigious 2025 Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the most versatile player in college football every year.
He's certainly lived up to that ***** le since transitioning to the NFL. As the Browns continue to try and navigate a quarterback controversy, Concepcion has been the one factor keeping Cleveland's excitement alive for the upcoming season.

#concepcion #made #mindset

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry knew he needed to rebuild the wide receiver room and add talent after it struggled in 2025. Jerry Jeudy showed some ability but had a bad year holding onto the football, and Isaiah Bond had an up-and-down rookie season, though he showed promise.
ESPN's Ben Solak noted in an article that another wide receiver, rookie Denzel Boston, has shown his physical traits and ability are worth taking note of so far in camp.
"The biggest box for a rookie to check is one of physical benchmarks. Wide receiver Denzel Boston smashes it in this regard. He has clear pro size at 6-foot-4 with a well-built frame, and he knows how to use it. He pushes off with strength, and he attacks throws away from his frame with length and hand size. But it's the smoothness with which he's in and out of his routes that truly stands out. He has shorter strides for a taller receiver, which allows him to gather himself more quickly and sink his weight more easily than other jump-ball specialists. You can tell he'll be a great possession receiver on quick-breaking routes (think Michael Pittman Jr. or Drake London) because of his ability to snap into routes and box smaller corners out from the catch point."
Berry spent two of his top three picks at the position to upgrade the room and help whoever the quarterback ends up being. KC Concepcion was taken in the first round and has shown he is a dynamic playmaker, especially in the preseason opener, but the second guy, Denzel Boston, has really stolen the show at camp.
The Browns are hoping they can step into larger roles than many outside the organization are expecting, especially Boston.

#boston #denzel #room

As in nearly every season since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, there are questions about the quarterback position, with a camp battle to start the season between veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year player Shedeur Sanders. So far, it seems like Watson might have a leg up on the competition, but in the end, neither one of these two has looked like a franchise quarterback that can lead this team for years to come.
However, one thing that stuck out during the Browns' loss to the Bears in the preseason opener was the weapons around the position, like first-round pick KC Concepcion, who looked like the dynamic difference-making playmaker he was drafted to be.
ESPN ******* yst Mina Kimes agrees with this, saying that she thinks the Browns are just a quarterback away from winning games. Kimes also highlighted Harold Fannin Jr and Quinshon Judkins, who both showed impressive ability as rookies last year despite the rest of the offense around them being terrible.
More likely than not, this season will be about these young players getting experience and developing as the team prepares to draft their quarterback to be the missing piece in next year's draft, unless the team decides to get aggressive and make a move for a quarterback to take a swing on this year via trade.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: ESPN ******* yst believes Browns are a 'quarterback away' from winning

#Browns #season #year #team

KC Concepcion needed just one half to show why he could be special originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KC Concepcion entered the preseason looking for an opportunity to prove his versatility could translate to the NFL. It didn't take long for the young wide receiver to make his presence felt.
Concepcion was one of the biggest offensive standouts of the first half, contributing as a receiver, return specialist and runner while giving his coaching staff another glimpse at the different ways he could impact an offense.
His biggest moment came on a 14-yard jet sweep that resulted in his first NFL touchdown. Concepcion took the handoff, turned the corner and found the end zone, showcasing the speed and open-field ability that made him a dangerous playmaker at the college level.
But the touchdown was only part of his productive performance.

#sporting #receiver #first #preferred

Champions League Play-Offs, a win against Real Madrid, a Supercoppa triumph. A lot happened in the week of August 10-16 in Lazio history, as we also remember Claudio Garella.
Date: Saturday, August 11, 2002Venue: White Hart Lane, LondonFixture: Tottenham Hotspur Lazio 2-2Lazio again concede early but come back from two goals down to draw at White Hart Lane.
Date: Sunday, August 12, 1990Venue: Estadio Municipal, La Línea de la ConcepciónFixture: Real Madrid Lazio 1-1 (4-6 on pens), Ciudad de la Línea TrophyLazio win prestigious trophy by beating Real Madrid on penalties
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2003Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Lazio Benfica 3-1, Champions League Play-OffA tough game in uncomfortable heat, but Lazio take two-goal lead to Portugal thanks to Corradi, Fiore and Mihajlovic
Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022Venue: Stadio Olimpico, RomeFixture: Lazio Bologna 2-1Down to 10 men from the early minutes of the game and losing 1-0 the Biancocelesti managed to overturn the result thanks to yet another goal from Immobile and a Bologna own goal prompted by Lazzari.

#lazio #goal #champions #play

The Cleveland Browns' first preseason game is officially in the books, with head coach Todd Monken's squad dropping the game against the Chicago Bears, 34-10.
While the score tells one story, there were plenty of takeaways from the recent matchup that could shake up the 53-man roster heading into Week One. Here are the biggest winners and losers from the Browns' preseason matchup against the Bears.
The Browns' rookie wide receiver duo of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston was on full display in Chicago this weekend.
Monken was not afraid to unleash Concepcion in his first preseason game, as the most recent first-round pick recorded three catches for 27 yards, while also picking up a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Boston did not see as much action, but still managed to finish with one catch for 15 yards to convert on third down.
While it's the first preseason game of the year, Monken's early usage of the rookie playmakers on offense should be a positive sign for fans.

#preseason

Perhaps it's too far to call it a "necessary evil," but the Carolina Panthers' selection of offensive tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft wasn't exactly the ******* iest choice.
Despite the pre-draft buzz that built up for names such as wide receiver KC Concepcion, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman, the Panthers opted to (wisely) invest in their trenches—taking the University of Georgia standout at the 19th overall pick. So on Saturday, as Cleveland Browns fans watched Concepcion speed his way into the end zone and Chicago Bears fans watched Thieneman fly around their defense, the Carolina faithful may have had a little less fun trying to see how their first-rounder fared in his preseason debut.
To perhaps gain some sort of clarity on Freeling's performance, we turn to Pro Football Focus and their film-based ******* ysis. And according to their evaluation of his 10-snap appearance as the starting right tackle, the young hog molly has room to improve.
The sample-sized outing yielded an overall offensive grade of 53.1, which ranks 33rd out of the 39 players on the unit. When cut down to Panthers who recorded at least 10 offensive snaps in the 29-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he ranks 28th out of 34.
When it comes to pass blocking, Freeling earned a 39.4—the fourth-lowest on the team. He was charged with two pressures (two hurries) on six opportunities.

#freeling

Texas A&M's ninth preseason practice may not have been open to the media, but thanks to the Aggie media team, one of redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed's best throws of the day was captured, providing media members and Aggie fans alike another glimpse into Reed's improvement as a pocket passer, delivering strike after strike since fall camp began.
The Aggies' offensive line will replace four starters at left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle. Third-year coach Mike Elko landed four SEC starters from the transfer portal, who are all expected to start at this point in the preseason, but nothing is set in stone. If this group comes through, Reed is expected to, yes, take the next step, especially with the addition of Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton.
Standing 6'4" and 215 pounds, Horton's size and ability to stretch the field and make contested catches fill the hole that plagued the Aggies last season, despite transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver's elite speed, which led to a combined total of nearly 1,900 yards and 13 touchdowns.
While Concepcion is already the Cleveland Browns' No. 1 wide receiver after being selected 24th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mario Craver is back for a final season and, paired with Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey, who have also shined, especially Bussey, this preseason, Marcel Reed and Isaiah Horton's connection was on full display during Saturday's first scrimmage.
In tight coverage against freshman cornerback Victor Singleton, Horton made a contested catch off a perfectly thrown ball from Marcel Reed, an area the veteran QB struggled last season. With the 2026 season-opener just three weeks away, this connection could take the Aggie passing game to the next level under first-year OC Holmon Wiggins.

#preseason #aggies

A rookie stood out for the Cleveland Browns in their 2026 preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
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KC Concepcion's punt return helped set up a field goal and scored the Browns' only touchdown in a 34-10 loss to the Bears.
The game was tied 10-10 at halftime, but Chicago scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half.
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#cleveland #whio #Trending #stories

Round 1 went to Deshaun Watson.
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation remains fluid, and Shedeur Sanders will get the start in Week 2 of the preseason, but Watson was the better of the two quarterbacks on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
In his first game action since October 2024, Watson had an up-and-down day overall against some of Chicago's starters, leading two scoring drives but struggling more when the Bears' pressure ramped up. Sanders faced mostly Bears backups and didn't do enough to change his standing, with his afternoon ending with an interception.
Watson earned the start against the Bears and played the first half, settling in nicely after a slow start. After a three-and-out – three straight runs – to start the game, Watson got comfortable with a battery of short, accurate passes, leading to a Browns field goal.
On Cleveland's third series, Watson hit all four of his pass attempts, including a 43-yard screen to Dylan Sampson, and converted a fourth-down QB sneak. Rookie WR KC Concepcion took an end around 14 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 Browns lead.

#Browns #sanders #game #leading

The most debated topic in all of football, or so it seems, is the competition for the Browns quarterback position. Saturday was another step toward answering that question.
In the Browns' preseason loss to the Bears, both players got an opportunity to show where they are. The Bears didn't play any of their starters in the first half, and in the second half, the Browns were down a lot of their depth pieces.
The playing field was never level; even so, there are some important takeaways.
Deshaun Watson was scheduled to get the entire first half, and he got off on a really strong start. After Cleveland went three-and-out in their first possession, the offense opened up.
Watson showed some arm strength, connecting well with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. One of his best plays of the first half came on 3rd and four; he checked into a nice man-beating concept and delivered a great throw to Harold Fannin Jr. against the blitz, but Fannin dropped it.

#cleveland

The Cleveland Browns are one of the few NFL teams that still haven't decided on a starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season.
Cleveland's quarterback battle will kick into high gear on Saturday, Aug. 15, when the Browns face off against the Chicago Bears in their first game of the 2026 preseason.
For Saturday's game, first-year coach Todd Monken has designated 10-year veteran Deshaun Watson as the team's starter. Watson is expected to play the first half before making way for his counterpart, Shedeur Sanders, at the start of the third quarter.
Monken has yet to tip his hand about who is winning the tight quarterback battle, but Saturday's action should give fans an idea of just how close the competition is.
Cleveland's quarterbacks won't be the only players worth watching on Saturday. Rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston are expected to be on the field for the first time in their careers, while Cleveland's new-look offensive line, which features four new starters, will be given an early chance to jell.

#Browns #saturday #battle #year

Texas A&M's 2026 season opener vs. Missouri State is just over three weeks away, while the Aggies have already completed two preseason practices since Wednesday evening. Overall, the takeaways have been varied, ranging from starting quarterback Marcel Reed's increased accuracy and confidence as a passer to junior wide receiver Terry Bussey, who bulked up this summer and improved as a route runner.
Sticking with Texas A&M's borderline elite wide receiver corps, former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton brings much-needed size to a rotation built on NFL-level talent, led by Mario Cravers' elite twitch and quickness, paired with Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey's track speed. After transferring from Mississippi State before the 2025 season, Craver reeled in 59 receptions for 917 yards and 4 touchdowns, developing immediate chemistry with Marcel Reed.
Reed and Isaiah Horton go back to their high school playing days in Tennessee, and while they have yet to play together at the college level, it's clear that after two practices, both players are on the same page. Horton's catch radius was on full display during Thursday's practice, captured by Texas A&M's media team after the senior wideout snagged Reed's well-thrown pass.
Horton is in line to earn the starting X receiver job, and, on paper, will open up the passing game for Reed, allowing Mario Craver to roam the middle of the field and allowing the redshirt junior to take more 50/50 shots downfield, which was not the case last season given the lack of size on the outside.
Losing star WR KC Concepcion, who led the Aggies in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, likely won't have a massive impact on new OC Holmon Wiggins' ability to push the ball down the field on early downs given his background as one of the top wide receivers coaches.

#season #wide #receiver #marcel

BEREA ― Neither was the first player the Browns selected in April's draft. However, the importance both KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston hold to the team's success this season is every bit as significant as what top pick Spencer Fano provides.
That weight is perfectly fine to them. They're ready to carry it with them.
"I would say I know that we are rookies but, I mean, I don't even look at it like that," Concepcion said before the Browns' ninth training camp practice Aug. 7. "We're all pros. They brought me in, then Denzel, to make plays. So I mean, we got to make them."
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The good news for the Browns is that both rookie wide receivers have shown up to training camp seemingly ready to make every play their way. It could be argued that Boston, the No. 39 overall pick in the second round, has been the offensive Most Valuable Player in camp through nine practices.

#make

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the most anticipated players heading into the 2026 NFL season, as he has not played in over a year. The 30-year-old missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign due to a torn Achilles. In fact, in the four years he has spent with the Browns so far, he has played in just 19 games. Nevertheless, Watson is gearing up for a momentous return later this year. What makes Watson's return different this time around is that newly-minted coach Todd Monken's Browns now have incoming second-year standout Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders. This means the two quarterbacks will have to compete for the QB1 spot. In a recent report by Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, Watson had his best day of training camp thus far.
"#Browns Deshaun Watson had his best day of camp by far, with nice passes to KC Concepcion, Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston and more. He played with confidence and was more accurate than on any other day. It helps to have the full complement in weapons in team."
— Mary Kay Cabot (MaryKayCabot) August 5, 2026
NFL fans and spectators are not overreacting to Watson's reportedly great performance.
"No pads, no pressure. I'm not knocking his performance, but he always looks great in shorts with no pressure. Half our d is not even on field. Full pads will be more impressive," one fan said.

#sanders #cabot #full

Under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M's wide receiver rotations struggled to find any consistency, no matter who was throwing the ball, and even after landing five-star Evan Stewart and four-star Noah Thomas in the historic 2022 recruiting class, injuries, a lack of development, and poor usage derailed both players' careers in College Station.
Stewart, who transferred to Oregon after the 2023 season, is currently a redshirt senior with the Ducks, while Noah Thomas transferred to Georgia after three seasons with the Aggies, appearing in 35 games and recording 73 receptions for 934 yards and 15 touchdowns, serving as A&M's starting X receiver during his final season, which was by far his most productive.
Why Thomas decided to transfer to Georgia is still surprising to this day, appearing in 10 games with the Bulldogs and recorded just 16 receptions for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Even after landing transfer wide receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, Thomas would have still seen extensive playing time as the X receiver, especially after Jerome Myles' injury before the 2025 season.
The Aggies lacked size, which became an issue late in the year after starting 11-0, but after adding Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Horton this offseason, who is 6'4" and 215 pounds, A&M has likely solved its size issue, while Noah Thomas, who went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, is looking to stand out with the Cincinnati Bengals during NFL Training Camp.
On Thursday, Thomas made the "catch of the day," which was captured by local Bengals media, as the rookie's physicality and concentration were on full display, pulling down the catch against veteran cornerback D.J Ivey. Thomas certainly possesses the traits to make an NFL roster.

#receiver #aggies #bengals

Texas A&M's 2026 offseason is coming to an end after coach Mike Elko, quarterback Marcel Reed, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe spoke to the local and national media during SEC Media Days last week, providing an extensive preview of the 2026 season, while all three players provided important updates regarding their personal progress, especially Daymion Sanford's injury status.
It's been a relatively quiet offseason for the Aggies, even though Marcel Reed has made the media rounds with several outlets, including On3, while Mike Elko has made several stops at the various A&M clubs in Texas. After making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, Elko saw a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including transfer WR KC Concepcion going 24th overall to the Cleveland Browns.
Elko's preseason premonition that "10 to 12" players would be selected in the draft led to the third-year coach landing 17 players from the transfer portal, combined with 65% of the 2025 roster returning and the 2026 signing class, which, on paper, should result in the Aggies once again contending for a CFP berth.
Texas A&M's fall camp will officially begin on Tuesday, August 4, with the first practice slated for the following Wednesday. AggieYell insider Carter Karels was the first to report that Mike Elko will speak to the media three times next month, while first-year OC Holmon Wiggins and DC Lyle Hemphill will be available two times to take questions from the local media.
Karels also revealed that there will be three open practices, strictly for media members, along with "early viewing windows" similar to last preseason during the first part of practice. Mike Elko's first press conference will be next Tuesday afternoon.

#texas #three #daymion

Texas A&M's 2026 offense will now feature transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton, who, at 6'4" and now 215 pounds according to the latest roster update, brings much-needed size to an A&M wide receiver corps that was completely built on speed last season, as transfer wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver combined for 1.836 yards and 13 touchdowns.
After Concepcion was the first of a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, going 24th overall to the Cleveland Browns, Mario Craver returns as starting quarterback Marcel Reed's No. 1 receiver after reeling in 917 yards and four touchdowns, including a record 207 yards during the Aggies' road win over Notre Dame.
Marcel Reed's 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions led an Aggie offense that averaged 33.8 points per game last season, but after running back Le'Veon Moss was lost for the year during A&M's home win vs. Florida, Rueben Owens picked up the slack before struggling at the end of the season, rushing for a career-high 639 yards and five touchdowns.
This week, On3's Crain & Cone released their top 10 college football offenses, and while Texas A&M was selected, the Aggies did earn an honorable mention alongside BYU.
"Crain & Crone believe Texas A&M and BYU will do good things on offense in 2026. Last year, the Aggies averaged 33.8 points per game, while the Cougars recorded 31.4 points per contest."

#receiver #concepcion

Just days after Texas A&M's first-round loss to Miami in the 2025 College Football Playoff, it was abundantly clear that starting quarterback Marcel Reed needed to improve in several areas, starting with eliminating "mental mistakes" against elite defenses, while the Aggies were set to transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion to the NFL Draft.
Entering his third season, coach Mike Elko was set to lose second-year OC Collin Klein, now Kansas State's head coach, and instead of pursuing an outside hire, Elko elevated WR coach Holmon Wiggins as the new OC and playcaller, while Lyle Hemphill was promoted as the Aggies' new defensive coordinator after Jay Bateman departed for Kentucky.
After Marcel Reed announced his official return, Elko and his staff went to work in the transfer portal, adding 17 players, including former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton, whose 6'4" frame pairs well with junior star wideout Mario Craver, who reeled in 59 receptions, 917 yards and four touchdowns during his first season in College Station.
In the backfield, former five-star prospect and redshirt junior running back Rueben Owens will be tasked with replacing Le'Veon Moss as the starter, but sophomore Jamarion Morrow, who looks like the best one-cut back on the roster, is still in contention for the starting job heading into the preseason.
After completing 62% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, paired with 493 rushing yards and six scores, Marcel Reed is equipped with the necessary speed and size at wide receiver to thrive in the pocket, and while four new starting offensive linemen could result in some early blocking issues, the expectations remain high for the Aggie offense.

Two of the keys for Cleveland's near and long-term future are how both of their first-round picks perform in their rookie seasons. Both Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion are under a lot of pressure to show that they have what it takes to be long-term pieces in this league.
It is going to be a challenge for both of them, as the Browns offense is very young throughout and will also have a major question mark at the quarterback position. With all of the aside, the Browns have had a very rough go at it with their first-round picks in the last 20 years.
We are examining the careers of the last 10 to see which ones were worth the selection and which ones were a bust. Spoiler alert, it's heavily weighted to the latter.
Cleveland went with the defensive line to start the 2015 draft and took one of the biggest busts of that first round. Shelton had potential but never grew into it. It is always a risk going DL in the first round because if the result isn't a home run, it is likely a failure.
DL and OL were within just a few picks away from each other with the intent of bolstering their lines of scrimmage, it didn't work. Erving spent only two seasons in Cleveland before being traded to Kansas City in 2017.

Texas A&M's chances of making it back to the College Football Playoff once again fall at the feet of redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed, who enters his second full season as the starter, but will now work behind an offensive line featuring four new starters after third-year coach Mike Elko saw a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
One of those departed stars, wide receiver KC Concepcion, was selected 24th overall by the Cleveland Browns, leaving junior wideout Mario Craver as the wide receiver room's new leader after reeling in a career-high 59 receptions, 917 yards, and four touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per reception.
Nationally, Marcel Reed and Mario Craver should be considered one of the top QB/WR duos in the country, given their already established connection, while Craver's NFL-level speed and elite versatility, and refined route-running skill set make him a potential first-round pick in next year's draft.
On Tuesday, On3's J.D. PicKell placed Marcel Reed and Mario Craver as the 6th best QB/WR duo in the country, which is well deserved after last season's performance, which included Reed passing for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, paired with nearly 500 rushing yards and six scores.
This offseason, the Aggies landed 17 transfer portal additions, including former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton, whose 6'4" frame and vast experience complete Texas A&M's 2026 wide receiver room, which is one of the program's dominant strengths this fall.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry delivered on his promise to make a “heavy investment” in the offense during the recently completed off-season.
Berry rebuilt the entire offensive line, highlighted by first-round selection Spencer Fano at left tackle, along with veteran additions Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins, and Zion Johnson. And, for good measure, they added tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford later in the draft.
The pass catchers also received an extreme makeover with the selections of wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan, to go with incumbents Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr.
Put all those together with returning running backs Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders, and the Browns appear to have a solid core on offense. They may not be fully unlocked until Berry solves the quarterback position in 2027 (or later, since this is still the Browns), but, overall, it looks like the Browns are on track.
While the offense appears to be on the upswing, it is fair to ponder who will still be on the roster when the Browns pull up stakes and move to their new stadium in Brook Park for the start of the 2029 season.