Denzel Boston 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Washington Huskies, wide receiver

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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