Big Receiving Target Denzel Boston

When I turned on the tape from the Washington Huskies’ 2024 season and started studying wide receiver Denzel Boston, the first thing that stood out was his presence on the football field.

Yes, he has a good-sized frame, but it’s more than that.

Boston has a BIG presence.

He was hard to miss, which is likely the reason he was targeted 104 times last season, and made 63 receptions per Rotowire (60.6% catch rate).

The nice thing about studying every game a prospect plays in during a season is that it provides a deeper perspective.

What did I realize about Boston?

He grew on me as the season progressed, and he seemed to improve against man-to-man coverage (the defender provides tight coverage wherever the receiver goes).

Possession receiver

Boston fits the NFL’s timeline.

What do I mean by that?

A lot of offensive play calling in the NFL centers around the short-to-intermediate passing game (0-19 yards), and that’s where Boston excels. That’s also where most of his production popped on film.

While he can sneak behind a defense every once in a blue moon, that’s not his trademark.

Boston is a decent route runner who does a good job using his frame to box out cornerbacks to secure the catch.

How’s his YAC? (yards after catch)

He’s tough, and he’ll take what defenses give him.

What’s Boston limited by?

Speed and burst.

While he has good initial “get up and go,” Boston isn’t seen blowing the doors off secondaries. His football speed levels off, and he struggles to create separation on straight-line routes.

He also lacks that coveted burst coming into and coming out of routes that feature breakpoints. Boston wins with skill, athleticism, and size on the underneath routes.

What’s his best trait?

Concentration.

Time and time again, Boston showed he could maintain his focus on the ball, and it wasn’t just as a wide receiver.

Boston spent time as the Huskies’ punt returner in 2024 (13 returns for 80 yards with a long of 25 yards). I noticed several times the punt team was coming right down in his face as he made fair catches without flinching.

What was his worst trait?

His hands weren’t strong enough.

This was particularly evident in contested catch situations.

My least favorite part of his game.

There’s a place in the NFL for Boston

The talking point on Boston is going to be value.

Some NFL Draft platforms are projecting Boston in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. SI, CBS, Pro Football Network, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, The McShay Report, and Draftwire all have put a first-round stamp on Boston since the end of July.

That’s too high in my mind at this point in the process.

There was nothing “dominant” about Boston on his 2024 game film. He was a high-volume target in Washington’s offense (second-leading team receiver).

He was a “nice” receiver who didn’t excite me.

#12 Denzel Boston 6-foot-4, 209 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Fall Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Second-Round prospect as of October 1, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Weber State, Eastern Michigan, Washington State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, USC, Penn State, UCLA, Oregon, and Louisville (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Injury note: Underwent double sports hernia surgery (247Sports)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tough methodical long strider. Lines up inside and outside. Long arms. Competitive. Good initial take off. Effective at achieving leverage out of the gate. Excels at slants. Destroys zone. Effective against off-man finding space back underneath. Capable of giving a move or can mix it up with corners. Has a whip and crisp change of direction at the route break points. Confident hands. Tends to catch the ball away from his body. Decent catch radius. Above average at adjusting to the ball. Average elusiveness after the catch. Excels at clearing out an area for other intended receivers. Willing blocker.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. How does he look on contested catches?

2. Creating separation?

3. Deep game?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.