Denzel Boston 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Washington has won 22 consecutive home games, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Huskies look to continue their home-field dominance against top-ranked Ohio State. An upset win against the Buckeyes goes a long way in making a run at the Big Ten Championship. If Washington is going to take down the defending national champions, it will likely involve a standout performance from Denzel Boston. Boston emerged as a premier target last season and appears poised to be even better in 2025. He’s one of the most well-rounded wide receivers in college football, beating defenses in a multitude of ways. His production has earned him plenty of buzz regarding the 2026 NFL Draft. Boston is one of the top prospects at his position, but how does he fit within an NFL offense?

2026 NFL Draft: Denzel Boston Player Profile

Background

Boston was overlooked coming out of Emerald Ridge (Washington), being a three-star recruit and the 146th-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2022. He chose to stay close to home and committed to Washington. Boston redshirted the 2022 season, catching two passes for 15 yards and having a 2-yard rushing touchdown in four games. 2023 was a memorable season for the Huskies, as they didn’t lose until the National Championship against Michigan. Boston had to wait for his opportunity, sharing a wide receiver room with Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan. He had just five receptions for 51 yards in 14 games as a redshirt freshman.

2024 gave Boston his first chance to be a focal point in Washington’s passing game, and he took advantage of it. He racked up 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns over 13 games. Boston has picked up right where it left off through the first three games in 2025. He has 16 catches for 249 yards and three receiving touchdowns, along with a punt return touchdown. His best performance so far came in the Apple Cup against Washington State. Boston had six catches for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 59-24 victory over the Huskies.

Strengths

Boston has the ideal frame for a boundary receiver, measuring at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds. He uses his size to be dominant in contested-catch situations, going up and routinely winning jump-balls. His ability to win with physicality is on full display in the red zone, as his high touchdown numbers suggest. While Boston certainly can win with his frame, he is far from just a jump-ball receiver. His route running is also a strength, being able to create separation despite not being the fastest wide receiver. Boston shows a high football IQ, adjusting his routes to find the soft spots in zone coverage. He has reliable hands and is at his best running intermediate routes over the middle of the field.

Weaknesses

Boston isn’t a receiver that wins with explosiveness. While his speed is decent, he doesn’t have that extra gear that other receivers in this class do. This limits his ability to blaze past defensive backs and get vertical separation. The limited top-end speed means Boston likely won’t be incredibly dangerous after the catch at the next level.

Overview

The 2026 wide receiver class is very much in flux. Several players could hear their name called in the first round, and Boston is one of them. His combination of size, football IQ, and route running gives him a high floor. Washington has utilized him as a punt returner, although he likely won’t be used on special teams in the NFL. He translates well as an X-receiver playing on the line of scrimmage. His frame allows him to beat press coverage, and he’ll be a quarterback’s best friend in the red zone. Teams looking to add physicality to their wide receiver room should pay attention to Boston. His game is similar to Tetairoa McMillan, who was a top-ten selection in the 2025 draft. Boston’s floor should be a second-round pick, but he can cement himself as a day-one pick if he performs well in conference play.