One of the Cleveland Browns’ biggest detriments on this roster is their skill position. For the past two years, the Browns’ wide receiver room has been one of the worst in the NFL, and the results have reflected that.
Yes, some of it has to do with subpar quarterback play, but the play at the wide receiver position has not been good enough at all. Furthermore, the investment in the position has kept the bad play at the position very consistent.
The 2026 NFL Draft signaled the end of this trend. The Browns became the first team in over 30 years to use two of their top-40 picks on wide receivers. The last team to do it was the 1996 New York Jets when they selected Keyshawn Johnson with the first overall pick and Alex Van Dyke with the 31st overall pick.
Johnson played for four teams over his career, but his stint in New York was incredible. In four seasons, he had 4,108 yards and 31 touchdowns. He converted 210 first downs and was every bit as advertised as a number one overall pick.
Van Dyke, on the other hand, put together an unfortunate career. His time only lasted five seasons, where he had just 211 yards and three career touchdowns.
Why the Browns had to make this move
Cleveland ran this play and is hoping for even better results for their franchise. While they executed their picks a little bit differently as they waited until pick 24 for their first receiver, KC Concepcion, and then came right back around at pick 39 with their second, Denzel Boston.
The best part about the difference between the two players is that they have totally different, yet complementary, play styles. This pairing has the potential to be really good for a very long time.
Concepcion has the play style that is just a big play waiting to happen. He is a guy who can turn a 10-yard catch into a 60-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Boston is a guy who you go to on 3rd and goal from the eight and feel good that he is going to make a big play.
Cleveland needed to shake up their pass catchers going into next year. They started last year building a very legitimate core group of players, and they added to it this year. The running backs and tight ends are entering their second year, while their receivers and best offensive linemen are rookies.
If everyone reached their potential, Cleveland could have built a very good, young group of skill players to be very good for a long time.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns the first NFL team in over 30 years to make key draft move
Reporting by Anthony Moeglin, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
