The NFL Scouting Combine can make or break a player’s chances. Some impress with their physical tools and intangibles, whereas others fall shy of expectations.
According to Bleacher Report analyst Brent Sobleski, that may have been the case with Washington’s Denzel Boston. Once considered a first-round prospect, the physical specimen may now be dangerously drifting into second-round territory:
“In the case of Denzel Boston, his NFL combine workout opened eyes, but not in a good way,” Sobleski explained. “The 6’4″, 212-pound option didn’t show the level of explosiveness expected during what little athletic testing he did participate in, particularly when it comes to a receiver who thrived in contested-catch situations, at least at the collegiate level. Furthermore, he unexpectedly dropped some passes during his positional workout.”
Boston has the build of a classic X-receiver. That said, ball security and questions about his ability to create separation against more athletic cornerbacks could hurt his draft stock.
Most big boards had him going in the top-20 or in the late-first round at the very least. Along with Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson, he was projected as one of the first five wide receivers off the board.
Ironically, that type of depth at the position may now backfire, as teams can turn their attentions to other high-end prospects like K.C. Concepcion or even Omar Cooper Jr. instead.
A lot can change in the weeks and days leading up to the NFL Draft, but storylines coming out of the combine and during Pro Days are usually reliable indicators of how decision-makers are feeling about certain players.
Denzel Boston will still have some opportunities to change people’s minds with his top-30 visits, and his tape is certainly promising. Whether it’s good enough to make them ignore these minor concerns remains to be seen.
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