2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Washington’s Wide Receiver Denzel Boston

If scouts were to draw a picture of today’s NFL wide receiver, their sketch might in fact look exactly like Washington Huskie Denzel Boston. Boston stands 6’4” and weighs 210 lbs., and he plays the part well. Over the past few seasons, he’s had the chance to learn behind some NFL talent, like pro receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. 

When it was his turn to become a full-time starter, Boston didn’t disappoint. He racked up 63 receptions last year, adding 843 yards and 9 touchdowns. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions in a conference full of talented receivers. And in 2025, Boston stands ready to eclipse his 2024 breakout year. 

Strengths

Boston is long and athletic, giving his quarterback a sizeable target on every throw. His catch radius is one of the broadest in this class of receivers, and he plays a physical game on both running and passing downs. Defensive backs will know they lined up against Boston after the game, as he can be a punishing blocker and fights for every reception. 

In terms of his speed, Boston’s been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds, which is shocking for a man of his size. He’s a jump ball magnet and will be used in the pros in combat catch situations. Boston’s hands are some of the best in the class, and his route running is superior, even for his relative inexperience. He’s smart on the field and off and he plays well in both man coverage and against zone schemes.

Weaknesses

Even though his 40-time is respectable, he won’t be considered as a guy who can take the cover off of defenses on deep balls. Scouts will want to see him develop more in his second season as a full-time starter and become more consistent in defeating coverages schemed to slow him down. In essence, they want him to take the next step in development before next year’s draft. 

Conclusion 

While Boston clearly has first-round talent, scouts will want to see him prove that during the 2025 campaign. He’s got the right length, size, athleticism, and frame to play now at the next level, but the question remains—can he keep last year’s pace up and do even more? Draft Nation looks at Boston as a late first or early second round pick, depending on his development and maturity during the 2025 campaign.