Denzel Boston 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Washington Huskies, wide receiver
Washington has another talented wide receiver in Denzel Boston who has a chance to be a first-round pick
Height: 6040
Weight: 209
Year: Third-year junior
Pro Comparison: Courtland Sutton
2025 NFL Combine Results
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
- Hand Size: xxx
- Arm Length: xxx
- 40-Yard Dash: xxx
- Vertical Leap: xxx
- Broad Jump: xxx
- 20-Yard Shuttle: xxx
- 3-Cone: xxx
Pros of Denzel Boston
- Boston is a traditional X-receiver, and his skill set reflects that. He’s elite at the catch point, thriving in contested situations. Boston has excellent body control throughout the process of the catch and caught 10 of 13 contested catches in 2025.
- As an X-receiver, Boston is physical by nature. He plays through contact extremely well and thrives in situations where he can be the bully.
- The saying “no block, no rock” resonates with Boston. He is more than willing to be a physical blocker, putting in maximum effort in the run game.
- Boston attacks vertically really well. Understands leverage and maximizes it at the stem by attacking the blind spots of the defensive back.
- Surprisingly good after the catch. Nearly 40% of his yards came after the catch, and he has a punt return touchdown to his credit.
Cons of Denzel Boston
- Boston needs more development with his route running. He shows aptitude to grow with nuance at the stem, but he needs a little coaching to develop those areas.
- While blocking effort is good for Boston, he needs development with his technique. He will pop defensive backs and linebackers, but not staying engaged with the defender allows them to make a play on the ball carrier.
- The release package isn’t the most diverse in the world. Some coaching will improve it.
Background
Boston is the son of former NFL wide receiver David Boston, and he plays similarly to his father. A three-star wide receiver and the 146th-ranked wide receiver in the class of 2022, Boston has seen a steady rise over his four years in Washington. He broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2024, with 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns, and followed it up with 62 catches for 881 yards and 14 touchdowns. He finds a way to be productive in any situation, giving his quarterback a big target to throw to.
Player Evaluation
Boston isn’t going to be a player every team prioritizes, but is one that every offense can utilize. In a world where a traditional X-receiver isn’t as prevalent as it was in the 1990s, Boston adds an element that can be the X-factor in the passing game. He combines excellent size with everything needed to be a dominant outside receiver: body control, playing through contact, and ball skills at the catch point. He offers the same downsides that an X-receiver often does, with some route-running limitations, and isn’t the most fluid mover, but the strengths more than outweigh the issues.
A to Z Rankings
A to Z Big Board Ranking: 29th overall, WR4
A to Z Draft Grade: 8.3
Draft projection: Late First-Round
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