2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Tyler Lawrence
Jan 20
4 min read

Name: Denzel Boston

Position: Wide Receiver

School: University of Washington

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 209 lbs

Class: RS Junior (2025 season)

Hometown: South Hill, 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 20 overall, WR4 (December 2025)

• PFF → 1st round, Top 20, WR4 (high cumulative grade among WRs since 2024)

• NFL Draft Buzz → 1st-2nd round, #4 WR, potential highest-drafted Washington WR since Rome Odunze (2024)

• NFL.com → Late 1st round projection

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

• Consensus → Strong WR4, likely Day 1 selection in top 25, with top-20 upside

Career Background

A three-star recruit, Denzel Boston starred at Emerald Ridge High School, earning All-League honors and leading the team in receiving as a senior. At Washington, he redshirted in 2022 before minimal action in 2023 as a special teams contributor. Boston broke out in 2024 with 63 receptions for 834 yards and 9 TDs, helping the Huskies to a bowl game. In 2025, as the lead target, he posted 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 TDs, showcasing big-play ability despite team inconsistencies. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in December 2025, citing readiness for the next level and thanks to his coaches and family.

(Photo by Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Career Stats

• 2022 (Freshman) → 2 rec/ 3 tar (66.7%), 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 (60.6%), 834 yards (13.2 avg/rec), 9 TDs

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

• Career Totals (4 Seasons) → 132 rec/ 210 tar (62.9%), 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:

• Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2024, 2025)

• Academic All-Big Ten (2024)

• Big Ten leaderboard ranks: Top-10 in receiving yards (881), tied-3rd in receiving TDs (11)

Character and Leadership

Boston garners respect for his steady demeanor and growth mindset, as position coach JaJuan Henderson notes his quick adaptation to new systems and role in guiding rookies through film sessions. Conversations reveal Boston’s focus on mental health and team chemistry, crediting veteran mentors for his development. No disciplinary problems or off-field incidents came up in reviews; analysts portray him as composed and committed. School records show no negative feedback from peers or press. His studies remain undisclosed, without listed major, but Academic All Big-10 shows good grades.

Injuries

Boston underwent double sports hernia surgery in spring 2025, missing much of camp but recovering in time for the opener without setbacks. He suffered an ankle sprain during a punt return in Week 11 vs Wisconsin, getting carted off and missing the next game against Purdue. He returned limited in the final contests, with coaches describing it as a high-ankle tweak that impacted mobility but not long-term. Prior seasons show no major issues, as he played all games in 2024 and most in 2023. The hernia and ankle raise questions about lower-body durability for scouts. Full pre-draft testing participation depends on ongoing rehab, but no chronic conditions are noted.

Play Style

Boston operates as a towering X-receiver who leverages length to dominate jump balls and back-shoulder throws, often shielding corners with his frame. He builds speed downfield to stretch defenses vertically, while his hands pluck passes in tight windows. Fits schemes that prioritize mismatches on the perimeter; comps include George Pickens (contested/deep threat). Post-catch gains come from power, not agility.

Strengths

1. Length/Contested Catch — Radius overwhelms DBs; secures catches outside frame. Long limbs gives quarterback a big target. Wins in more situations then not.

2. Tracking — Adjusts mid-air to off-target throws; times leaps precisely.

3. Release Variety — Mixes stutter-steps and swims to beat press without losing momentum.

4. Aggression/Run Blocking — Seals lanes with leverage; sustains through whistle. Active participant.

5. Focus Under Duress — Maintains concentration in traffic; low concentration drops.

Weaknesses

1. Initial Quickness — Lacks sudden burst off snap; vulnerable to jams at the line.

2. Lateral Agility — Struggles changing direction sharply; routes can round off. Still offers surprising RAC ability given size.

3. After-Catch Creativity — Powers forward but evades few tacklers. Puts itneffort in for yards, but not dynamic with ball in hands.

4. Medical Concerns — Recent ankle and hernia; test recovery metrics. No long term issues, did not miss many games.

5. Inside Adaptability — Boundary specialist; untested in slot demands. Returned punts occasionally, but not expected to be a real threat as returner.

Final Evaluation

Denzel Boston stands out as a compelling WR4 prospect in the 2026 class, bringing imposing size and aerial reliability that could anchor outside roles in downfield attacks. Insights from PFN, PFF, and NFL Draft Buzz underscore his contested-catch efficiency and low drop numbers as core assets, though sharper footwork would broaden his appeal. Tailored for systems valuing vertical threats like Pickens, Boston merits late Day 1 or early Day 2 investment—potentially Washington’s top WR pick since Odunze if medicals confirm resilience. He profiles as a matchup weapon ready to stretch fields after addressing minor health questions.