Browns ‘Strongly Considered’ Drafting Denzel Boston At No. 24

The Browns wound up using the 24th choice on another receiver, former NC State and Texas A&M standout KC Concepcion. With Concepcion in tow, they contemplated trading back into the first round to grab Boston. They stayed put at No. 39, though, and it was somewhat surprising Boston was still available when they were on the clock seven picks into the second round.

Boston fell in Cleveland’s lap largely because the 49ers went off the board to take a different wideout, De’Zhaun Stribling, at No. 33. Teams like the Bills (35th), Giants (37th) and Raiders (38th) could have conceivably chosen Boston in an effort to improve their iffy receiving corps, but they opted for defensive players instead.

The Browns went against their M.O. in spending a couple of premium picks on receivers (they hadn’t drafted one in Round 2 or higher since 2016), but they did so expecting Boston and the 6-0, 196-pound Concepcion to emerge as long-term starters. Boston got off to an auspicious start during spring workouts, as he showed off “reliable hands and efficient route-running ability,” per Jackson.

Based on the Browns’ depth chart, Boston and Concepion should be in position to make immediate impacts. Seventh-year man Jerry Jeudy is back as the team’s de facto No. 1 receiver, though his production dropped off the table last season after a Pro Bowl showing in 2024. He fell from 90 catches and 1,229 yards to 50 and 602 in those categories in a one-year span. Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Malachi Corley and Jamari Thrash are among other veterans in the fold, but there is no proven threat in that group.

Berry spent a 2023 third-rounder on Tillman, who has racked up just 71 catches, 833 yards and five touchdowns over three years and 38 games. The additions of Boston and Concepcion could push Tillman off the roster this summer.