KC Concepcion impressed despite not participating in some drills at the 2026 NFL combine. The Texas A&M wideout was considered a borderline first-round pick in the NFL Draft heading into the event, though he may have shownenough skills to move up draft boardsafter a solid performance.
But bad actors tried to throw cold water on Concepcion's combine performance after clips of his media interviews drew attention.Concepcion addressed those clipsSunday night with a heartfelt post about going through life with a speech impediment.
In the post, Concepcion explained that he wants to be "a role model for those who may be scared to speak." He offered thanks to those who supported him and encouraged others to not be affected by the negative thoughts of others. He ended the post with the hashtag #stopthenegativity.
Throughout his draft journey, Concepcion hastalked openlyabout his speech impediment. Concepcion said it used to be worse earlier in his life, but that taking speech classes helped.
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In September, he told the Associated Press he's learned toembrace the impediment as something that makes him unique.
"Everybody has their own flaws, and it's just about how you embrace those flaws and that makes you you," he said.
Concepcion also appeared on Shannon Sharpe's podcast in November totalk about his speech impediment.
The 21-year-old Concepcion finds himself high up on NFL Draft boards after turning in a strong junior season at Texas A&M. After transferring from North Carolina State, Concepcion gained 919 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns in his first season with the Aggies.
That performance was good enough to make Concepcion a possible first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That's exactly where he sits in Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft, which was released post-combine. Inthat mock draft, Concepcion is going just inside the first round, with the New England Patriots taking the wideout at pick No. 31.