denzel boston
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Washington WR Denzel Boston.
The Las Vegas Raiders gave wide receiver Jalen Nailor a three-year contract in free agency, but the wide receiver room shouldn’t be set yet.
The team’s first-round pick is going to be used on a quarterback, and with the Maxx Crosby trade falling through, the Raiders no longer have an additional first-round pick coming their way. That means the team will have to wait until the second round to potentially address wide receiver.
An early name to watch is Washington’s Denzel Boston. He just wrapped up Washington’s Pro Day, and he revealed that the Raiders are the first team he’s doing a pre-draft visit with.
Brady Henderson
WR Denzel Boston — a projected first-round pick — did not run a 40 at Washington’s pro today at the advice of his agent. He posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump, bettering his number from the combine.
Boston said he has 12 pre-draft visits lined up. First is the Raiders on Sunday.
The Raiders have a limited number of pre-draft visits they can host, so the fact that they’re meeting with Boston means they’re at least somewhat interested. He would make a lot of sense on this team.
Between Tre Tucker, Nailor and Dont’e Thornton, the Raiders have plenty of speed at wide receiver, but they don’t have a big body who can run routes at a high level at the position. Boston isn’t a burner, but he’s 6-foot-4 and makes plays after the catch. He also has 20 combined touchdown receptions over the last two seasons. He could be the missing piece for the Raiders’ offense.
Boston Compared to Puka Nacua
Boston decided against running at the NFL Scouting Combine and his Pro Day, so that might suggest to teams that he doesn’t think his time will be good. That could hurt his draft stock.
However, speed is only one of many ways wide receivers win. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees a lot of Los Angeles Rams superstar Puka Nacua in Boston’s game.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness,” Zierlein wrote. “Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
Will Boston Make It to the Raiders’ Pick?
Boston’s draft projections are all over the place. Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt doesn’t have him getting selected in the first round, but USA Today has him going No. 13 to the Los Angeles Chargers. Pro Football Focus has him falling to the New England Patriots at No. 31.
No. 36 to the Raiders in the second round isn’t a huge fall, but it’s very difficult to know if he’ll make it that far. It’s easy to see a team falling in love with his size and after the catch ability, but other teams might be scared off by the lack of game-breaking speed. If it’s a real concern, picking him up in the second round makes a ton of sense for a team like the Raiders.