Cleveland Browns rookie KC Concepcion drew comparisons to Zay Flowers because of his ability to separate and cut grass after the catch.
New Browns coach Todd Monken, who spent three seasons with Flowers in Baltimore, likes the comparison but expanded on it, noting the outlets bring the same mentality to each rep.
“There are some similarities [Flowers],” Monken said of Concepcion, via ESPN. “But I love when people talk about KC, it reminds me of Zay in terms of how he practices, what he brings in every day. And if you’re looking for that comparison that I can compare, I think he’ll make it like Zay did.”
In three seasons under Monken in Baltimore, Flowers put up at least 858 receiving yards. In the last two campaigns, he gained more than 1,000 yards and earned Pro Bowl nods in both. Flowers’ ability to create easy separation from defenders is a superpower. Despite his size at 5-foot-9, he is productive because he is able to create clean space for QBs to target him and his ability to run after the catch adds hidden yards.
Concepcion brings a similar ability to beat DBs with smooth ease, and he entered the NFL as one of the best YAC receivers in his class. Browns GM Andrew Berry was quick to add that the 5-foot-11 receiver also has more size than Flowers.
“I think there are some similarities [to Flowers] in terms of the mobility, the snap,” Berry said. “Honestly, some of the questions about the hands coming out, I think the only thing that maybe gets lost a little bit is that KC is a much bigger player than Zay, but I think there’s some overlap in attributes. If we get a player comparable to Zay Flowers when we’re sitting here in three years, we’ll be happy.”
As they should be. Flowers has grown into an elite team, despite playing in a bread-and-butter offense. If Concepcion develops into such a weapon under Monken, the Browns will have solved one of the big questions on offense – do they have a WR1?
It might not happen in Year 1, but the foundation can be there for Concepcion to thrive under Monken, just like Flowers did in Baltimore.