Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston generally projects as a top-40 overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. His lack of speed, and also Boston’s refusal to get officially timed in the 40-yard dash, are complicating that projection.
Boston opted not to participate in most of the athletic testing portion of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He did work out in the on-field drills in Indianapolis, and also turned in a decent 35-inch vertical jump and timed an impressive 4.20 seconds in the short shuttle.
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That was the third-best time of any wideout at the Combine. At Boston’s 6-foot-4, 212-pound size, it’s even more impressive.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine logo in the end zone at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
No speeding?
The biggest question with Boston is his speed, or lack thereof. His scouting reports are littered with euphemistic references that earn him common labels like “quicker than fast” or “doesn’t challenge defenses vertically.”
There was hope that Boston would take advantage of Washington’s Pro Day to run a 40-yard dash and get a more official grasp of his actual speed. However, Boston opted not to run in Monday’s Pro Day either, reportedly on the advice of his agent.
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While Boston doesn’t win as an outside receiver with speed, it’s still an important piece of the puzzle. NFL defensive backs are generally bigger, quicker and stronger than their collegiate counterparts whom Boston has matched up against in his two high-volume seasons at Washington.
What worked for him in the Big Ten won’t be as easy, especially if the cornerbacks and defensive coordinators know that Boston can’t beat them over the top.
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By not running, Boston could be unwittingly validating the concerns over his speed.
Oct 18, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after he makes a reception in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Comparisons offer mixed results
It doesn’t help Boston’s case that a couple of recent, comparable receivers were mixed bags in the NFL. The most common comparison, especially from those down on Boston, is Bills wideout Keon Coleman.
The first pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft (No. 33 overall), Coleman is almost exactly the same size as Boston and ran a plodding (for a WR) 4.61 in the 40-yard dash.
Coleman tasted limited success with the Bills in his first two seasons, catching 67 passes and scoring eight touchdowns. Those aren’t bad numbers, but they’re not commensurate with pre-draft expectations. His inability to win over the top has made getting open more difficult for Coleman in the NFL.
That fear projects into Boston as well.
Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) reacts during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Kenny Golladay experience
Another comparison for Boston is Kenny Golladay. A third-round pick by the Lions in 2017, Golladay measured at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds coming out of Northern Illinois.
While he notched a 4.5 in the 40 at the 2017 Combine, Golladay was known more for his ability to make contested catches and work back to the quarterback from the sidelines than for winning with speed.
Golladay’s NFL experience shows the range of outcomes, both positive and negative, that come with being a big-bodied wideout who can’t win with speed. His two-season peak in Detroit in 2018-19, with a fearless Matthew Stafford slinging tight-window throws to him, saw Golladay earn a Pro Bowl berth and lead the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2019. That landed him a hefty free agent deal with the New York Giants in 2021, after an injury-shortened 2020 season in Detroit.
Golladay was a massive disappointment in New York. Unable to reliably get open as defenses ignored him over the top and condensed the coverage, Golladay caught under 45 percent of his targets in two seasons, managing just one touchdown. He hasn’t played since the 2022 season.
Not having a high-end and fearless quarterback like Stafford effectively ended Golladay’s effectiveness. The same could be true for Coleman, who benefits from the similarly wired Josh Allen in Buffalo.
Outlook
Boston has some very real, impressive receiving skills that should translate well to the NFL. However, his lack of speed – and seeming unwillingness to assuage those concerns – will definitely limit Boston’s draft ceiling.
As Golladay and Coleman have proven, there is still value in a big outside receiver who can’t win vertically. But it won’t appeal to every team, and that might drop Boston’s draft range from the 20s into the 30s or even the 40s overall come April.
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