The Cleveland Browns couldn't get much going on offense the last time they took the field. New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn had a solid defensive game plan, Todd Monken didn't make adjustments, and the weather didn't help one bit.
However, of all the people to blame for this avoidable loss, Minkah Fitzpatrick — yeah, that guy — deserves to be at the top of the list. His dirty hit on wide receiver KC Concepcion and the concussion that knocked the talented rookie out of the game stalled the Browns' offense more than anything.
Concepcion's impact on Cleveland's offense goes well beyond the box score. He only has 149 total receiving yards on 29 targets. But after watching the tape, it's crystal clear that his presence alone makes him the single most important piece of the puzzle on offense.
KC Concepcion has already become the piece that makes the Browns offense work
Let's not state the obvious. KC Concepcion is a first-round wide receiver, so he's clearly going to play a big role in the passing game. But again, it's not just what he does when he's targeted or when he has the ball in his hands.
The Browns have deployed Concepcion all over the formation. They've lined him up at the slot 61.9 percent of the time, but he's also done his damage out wide, not to mention all the pre-snap motion stuff he does and the occasional touches out of the backfield.
Having Concepcion on the field keeps defenses guessing. He can be efficient regardless of where he lines up, and keeping him in motion forces everyone on the defense to keep an eye on him for a potential jet sweep or end-around. It keeps defenses honest.
More than that, Concepcion is also the team's most dynamic playmaker. He's averaging 4.1 yards after the catch, and he's forced three missed tackles en route to six first downs. You just need to put the ball in his hands, and he'll make something happen.
The Jets game gave Browns fans some worrisome flashbacks, for sure. Watching Concepcion and right tackle Tytus Howard leave with injuries meant that Isaiah Bond and Dawand Jones had to take the field, and the outcome was as ugly as expected.
Bond may have led the team in production in that game, but he also cost the team multiple times. He had some brutal drops, including one in the end zone, and that has been an issue with him dating back to college.
Concepcion seemed to be in great spirits after the illegal hit that got Fitzpatrick fined by the NFL this week. Then again, he still has to pass the concussion protocol, so his status for Week 6 is, unfortunately, still up in the air.
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