Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Washington WR Denzel Boston
The wide receiver position group seems to get deeper and deeper every year as we head into a new draft.
This year’s 2026 NFL Draft class is no different with a number of stars at the top of the list, and a handful of players who could develop into WR1/WR2 type players over the course of their careers. One name who is firmly in the mix to be selected early on in the draft is Washington WR Denzel Boston.
Background
Statistics
- 2022: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards (4 games)
- 2023: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 51 yards (14 games)
- 2024: 98 targets, 63 receptions, 834 yards, 9 TDs (13 games)
- 2025: 95 targets, 62 receptions, 881 yards, 11 TDs (12 games)
Measurables
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 212
- Hand Size: 9 3/4″
- Arm Length: 32″
- 40-Yard Dash: N/A
- 10-Yard Split: N/A
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.28
- Vertical: 35″
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 3 Cone: N/A
- Bench: 26 reps
Denzel Boston spent much of his first two collegiate seasons at Washington as a staple on the special teams units, shining in kick and punt coverage. He then moved into the starting lineup during the 2024 campaign, and he never let that role go, totaling 30 receptions for 412 yards and seven touchdowns over the first five games of that 2024 season.
Strengths
Boston has ideal size and length for an NFL receiver, allowing him to consistently win one-on-one battles downfield. He had just two drops on passes deeper than 10 yards over the past two seasons (106 targets), and his sturdy frame along with nearly 10-inch hands are big reasons for that.
He uses those big mitts to create leverage on the line of scrimmage against opposing cornerbacks. He thrives against press coverage. More often than not, Boston finds a way to give himself inside leverage when running routes over the middle of the field, allowing his QB to have a clear passing lane.
That build has also turned Boston into a relatively consistent presence as a run blocker. It’s a skill that got noticeably better in 2025 compared to 2024.
Finally, Boston is a twitchy athlete as well who can shake defenders while moving downfield with a full head of steam.
Weaknesses
While Boston has a strong first step off the line of scrimmage and can haul in contested catches, he doesn’t have the jaw-dropping long speed that many deep threats at the NFL level possess. He relies on that big build a little too much for my liking, which is something he won’t always be able to do in the pros.
At this point in time, Boston’s route tree won’t blow anyone away, either, limiting what he can do as an X receiver. His targets were filled with go routes, comebacks, and slants over the middle of the field. When he did attempt more intricate routes, he noticeably got slowed down when he tried to plant his foot and change direction.
NFL Draft Projection
- Draft Projection: Late Day 1- Day 2 (Late First Round – Mid Second Round)
- Team Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants
While Denzel Boston probably won’t be a WR1 candidate immediately at the NFL level, he certainly has a role in the league, particularly if he can land with a team that does have a true No. 1 receiver already on the team drawing some attention away from him. If Boston can prove he can win downfield at the NFL level while shoring up some of his routes, he can be a very dangerous player.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
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