Dolphins Mock Draft Has Team Replacing Jaylen Waddle

One of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, Washington’s Denzel Boston is expected to go somewhere in the late first round or early second round. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has him going to the Miami Dolphins with the 30th overall pick:

“Round 1 – Pick 30 Denzel Boston WR, WASHINGTON 

The Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle, and they’re replacing him with a long-striding, contested-catch machine in Boston, who should make Malik Willis’ already-tough job slightly easier.”

Miami already owned the 11th pick in the draft. Then they landed another first-rounder (30th overall) by trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason.

Wilson has the Dolphins taking LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the 11th selection. And that makes sense, seeing that the team needs to improve it’s secondary. But instead, Miami could choose to use the pick on a receiver like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, or USC’s Makai Lemon.

If the Dolphins don’t go the receiver route at No. 11, though, Denzel Boston could be the guy they take at No. 30.

Dolphins Mock Draft Has Team Replacing Jaylen Waddle

His Career Thus Far

Denzel Boston starred at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, Washington. He recorded 105 receptions, 1,572 yards, and 23 touchdowns during his high school career. He then committed to the University of Washington. 

During his first two years at Washington, Boston played behind current NFL receivers Rome Odunze, Jalen Macmillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk. However, he became a starter in 2024. That year, Boston led the Huskies with 807 receiving touchdowns and nine receiving touchdowns. He was also named honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and the media.

Boston played 12 games in 2025, catching 62 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had a great performance in the LA Bowl, recording six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Boston was named a third-team All-Big Ten selection. He then declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Should the Dolphins Draft Him?

Waddle wasn’t the only big-name receiver the Dolphins lost this offseason. They also released eight-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill following injuries and salary cap concerns. Hill played just four games in 2025 after suffering a major knee injury (ACL, meniscus, patellar tendon) in 2025.

With Hill and Waddle out of the picture, life will be harder for new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. Miami signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason. A backup for the Green Bay Packers the past two years, Willis is expected to be the starter for the Dolphins in 2026.

Drafting Denzel Boston could certainly help Willis down in South Beach. While he’s probably not the next Tyreek Hill, he does have the potential to be a solid NFL receiver. Boston has ideal size (6’4, 210 pounds) and possesses the ability to track the football and make contested catches.

Boston boasts a large catch radius, excellent hand-eye coordination, and has a knack for generating explosive plays. If he’s still available at No. 30, it would make a ton of sense for the Dolphins to take him.