2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Name: Denzel Boston

Position: Wide Receiver

School: University of Washington

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 207 lbs

Class: Junior (2025 season)

Hometown: Puyallup, WA

High School: Emerald Ridge High School

Recruiting Rank: 3-star recruit, #893 overall, #146 WR nationally in 2022 class (247Sports Composite)

Draft Projections:

•  Pro Football Network → 1st round, Top 15–20 overall, WR3 (December 2025)

•  PFF → 1st round, Top 20, WR3 (high cumulative grade among WRs since 2024)

•  NFL Draft Buzz → 1st round, #3 WR, potential highest-drafted Washington WR since Jalen McMillan (2024)

•  NFL.com → Mid 1st round projection

•  ESPN (Mel Kiper) → Top-5 WR in 2026 class

•  Consensus → Strong WR3, likely Day 1 selection in top 20, with top-15 upside

Career Background

A three-star recruit, Denzel Boston starred at Emerald Ridge High School, earning All-League honors and contributing to strong team performances. At Washington, he saw limited action as a redshirt freshman in 2023 before a breakout sophomore year in 2024 with 63 receptions for 834 yards and 9 TDs, helping the Huskies to a bowl appearance. In 2025, as a feature receiver, Boston posted 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 TDs, solidifying his status despite team struggles. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in December 2025, expressing gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and family.

Career Stats

•  2022 (Freshman) → 2 rec/ tar (–%), 15 yards (7.5 avg/rec), 0 TD

•  2023 (Redshirt Freshman) → 5 rec/ 8 tar (62.5%), 51 yards (10.2 avg/rec), 0 TD

•  2024 (Sophomore) → 63 rec/ 104 tar (60%), 834 yards (13.2 avg/rec), 9 TDs

•  2025 (Junior) → 62 rec/ 95 tar (65.3%), 881 yards (14.2 avg/rec), 11 TDs

•  Career Totals (4 Seasons) → 132 rec/ – tar (–%), 1,781 yards (13.5 avg/rec), 20 TDs

Advanced Stats (2025, PFF):

• PFF OFF Grade → 87.6 (top-10 among 404 FBS WRs)

• PFF RECV Grade → 86.8

•  Snaps Wide 81.3%/SLOT 17.6%

•  Yards After Catch → 305 (4.9 per reception/ 35% of total yardage)

• Missed Tackles Forced → 7 (0.11/rec)

• 10/13 contested catch (76.9%)

• Drops → 2 (3.1%)

• QB RTG → 116.2 (top-20 among qualified WRs)

Awards and Accolades

High School:

•  All-League honors

•  Three-star recruit

College:

•  Ranked top-10 in Big Ten receiving yards (881) and TDs (11) in 2025

•  Ranked top-10 in Big Ten receiving yards (834) and TDs (9) in 2024

Character and Leadership

Boston earns praise for his quiet confidence and work ethic, with Washington coach Jedd Fisch describing him as a “big-time player” who thrives under pressure and shows poise in high-stakes moments, like his standout performance against Illinois. In interviews, Boston emphasizes staying locked in and avoiding distractions, crediting his family for keeping him grounded amid injuries and team struggles. Position coaches highlight his growth from a raw prospect to a reliable leader who mentors younger receivers through consistent effort. Fans and media occasionally debate his effort during losses, but no off-field issues, reprimands, or negative character criticism surfaced; scouts view him as humble and focused.

Injuries

Denzel Boston’s injury history shows some setbacks but overall durability across his Washington Huskies career. As a freshman in 2022, he redshirted without reported issues, playing in four games. In 2023, he played 14 of 15 games but missed one due to an unspecified injury. His 2024 season was strong with no major absences, playing in all games. In 2025, Boston suffered an ankle sprain during a punt return in the Week 11 loss to Wisconsin, getting carted off but returning limited in the second half; he missed the following game against Purdue and was limited in subsequent outings. He also underwent cleanup surgery for a double sports hernia before the 2025 season, missing much of spring and fall camp but recovering fully by the opener. No chronic issues or surgeries beyond that are documented, with full recovery expected post-2025.

Play Style

Boston excels as a polished boundary receiver with elite route-running nuance for a big body receiver, sinking hips to create separation and tracking the ball like a pro. His ideal frame and contested-catch prowess make him a red-zone mismatch; reliable hands and attention to detail shine in intermediate/deep routes. He throves in contested catch situations, similar to Mike Williams (size/deep ball). YAC ability adds versatility, though not his primary strength.

Strengths

1.  Size — Big and physical. Can bully smaller defensive backs at the catch point and can climb the latter to use his length to his advantage.

2.  Contested Catch Ability — 76.9% rate; strong hands, body control, and radius in traffic.

3.  Ball Tracking/Hands — Soft, reliable mitts; low drop rate in 2025, elite adjustments.

4.  Route Running from Boundary — High awareness; fluid routes. Double moves, head takes, seperater

5.  Big-Play Reliability — 13.5 YPR career, 2.44 YPRR; consistent chain-mover with TD upside.

Weaknesses

1.  Top-End Speed — Adequate but not elite.

2.  Subpar YAC — 35% of tatal yardage after the catch, low avoided tackles

3.  Finesse — Uses physicality to box out defenders over agility. Doesn’t get off press cleanly or quickly.

4.  Low Slot Versatility — Primarily boundary (81.3% wide rate); limited inside experience.

Final Evaluation

Denzel Boston emerges as a strong WR4 and a blue-chip prospect in the 2026 class, combining polished route-running, reliable hands, and production into a potential WR1 starter. Cross-referencing PFN, PFF, and NFL Draft Buzz highlights his separation skills, ball security, and contested dominance as separators, with speed as the primary developmental area. In an NFL valuing nuanced receivers (Pickens, Williams), Boston boasts Pro Bowl upside and merits top-50 consideration—potentially the highest-drafted Husky WR since Rome Odunze. He projects as an instant contributor capable of elevating passing attacks and delivering long-term WR1 impact.

Sources

•  Pro Football Network (2025 scouting reports, draft projections)

•  PFF (2025 grades, mock drafts, player analysis)

•  NFL Draft Buzz (full profile/scouting report)

•  ESPN (stats, awards, rankings)

•  NFL.com (declaration/projection coverage)

•  Sports-Reference (career stats compilation)

•  Washington Athletics/Wikipedia (bio, accolades)