2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile - WR Denzel Boston

Player Description

Name: Denzel Boston

School: Washington

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Junior

Height: 6'4

Weight: 210 lbs

Draft Projection: Late Day 1 to Mid Day 2

Strength:

• Exceptional size and length

• Consistent, reliable hands — catches almost everything

• High-level hand–eye coordination

• Displays positional versatility — able to contribute on special teams

• Consummate red-zone threat

• Advanced ball‑tracking skills

• Uses his frame effectively to box out defenders on fade and corner routes

• Excellent body control — capable of making mid‑air adjustments

• Long strider — able to beat defenders from the slot

• Underrated short‑area quickness

• Fundamentally sound run blocker

Weaknesses:

Although he possesses the physical profile of a prototypical vertical threat on the perimeter, there is limited evidence on tape that he consistently wins downfield against quality defensive backs. The tools appear to be there, but the on‑field results don’t always match the measurables.

His overall long‑speed remains a legitimate question mark. Rather than separating with pure acceleration, he often leans on his size and frame to create advantages on the outside. While he is certainly big and strong enough to win with physicality, there is little evidence to show that he can consistently defeat press‑man corners who are equally physical. His ability to handle NFL‑caliber strength at the line of scrimmage is still a projection rather than a proven trait.

As a route runner, Boston shows noticeable limitations in both his route tree and overall technical refinement. He tends to be slow at the top of his routes, which frequently leads to minimal separation out of his breaks. This issue is compounded by a limited release package and a lack of initial burst off the line. When defenders are able to stay in phase early, he struggles to create late separation, making him more of a contested‑catch target than a true separator.

When facing higher‑level competition, Boston’s production also showed signs of regression. In the 2024 season, he posted back‑to‑back 100‑yard performances against Northwestern and Rutgers in Weeks 4 and 5, suggesting a potential breakout stretch. However, he failed to record another 100‑yard outing for the remainder of the year. From Week 10 through the team’s bowl game against Louisville, he averaged just 38 receiving yards per contest, raising concerns about his ability to maintain impact against stronger opponents and more complex defensive schemes.

Boston offers intriguing size and flashes of playmaking ability, but his projection to the next level hinges heavily on his development as a route runner, his ability to win against physical coverage, and whether he can prove he has enough functional speed to threaten defenses vertically.