Browns Draft WR Denzel Boston At No. 39

Boston, 22, racked up 125 receptions, 1,717 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns over his last two years with the Huskies. He was among the wideouts to visit Cleveland during the pre-draft process, and the team was known to be interested in adding talent at the position. They already selected Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion at No. 24 overall, and they will now double-dip on a second receiver on Day 2.

New Browns head coach Todd Monken is surely excited about his new-look offense, which also added Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano in the first round. Cleveland has clearly made an effort to bolster their offense around an uncertain quarterback room without a clear starter.

Cleveland saw Jerry Jeudy‘s production nosedive after a Pro Bowl 2024 breakout showing, and the Jeudy contract pays out its guarantees in 2026. Jeudy, who is entering an age-27 season, is signed through 2028. For the time being, the ex-Bronco first-rounder will team with two top-40 picks as the Browns rebuild their receiving corps.

Taking over as a key Washington wideout following the 2024 exits of Rome Odunze, Ja’lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, Boston shined with the Huskies for the past two seasons. The big-bodied target emerged as one of Division I-FBS’ top contested-catch players, and his skillset should complement Concepcion and Jeudy’s, giving Cleveland a bona fide boundary weapon.

Sitting 23rd on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Boston is coming off an 881-yard, 11-touchdown season. He was linked to a few teams in the first round but saw others — like Concepcion — end up being more highly valued targets. That said, some teams viewed Boston as a top-three wideout in this class. But that did not prompt any to trade up for him. The Browns may well be waiting for 2027 to add a quarterback — after Deshaun Watson‘s contract expires — but they are set to give either Watson or Shedeur Sanders an influx of pass catchers to join Jeudy and Harold Fannin.