Denzel Boston of the Washington Huskies is meeting with the Cleveland Browns.
Getty
Denzel Boston of the Washington Huskies is meeting with the Cleveland Browns.
Increasingly, it has become clear that the Cleveland Browns are weighing the possibility of drafting Washington receiver Denzel Boston, who had his pro day this week and impressed. On Friday, the team is taking the next step and bringing him to Barea for a formal Top 30 meeting.
As ESPN’s Field Yates reported, “Washington WR Denzel Boston will take one of his 12 scheduled pre-draft 30 visits with the Browns today. The #27 player on my top 50 big board. The Browns own picks 6 and 24 and their top two needs entering the draft are WR and LT.”
There is clearly interest from the Browns in Boston, who is 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds, and has drawn accolades for his size, smarts and hand strength. He is not a burner, and was worried enough about how that would show up at the combine and at his pro day that he did not run the 40-yard dash. That’s certainly a red flag, but it won’t disqualify Boston as a first-round pick.
Drafting Denzel Boston Will Likely Require Browns’ No. 24 Pick
Or as a second-rounder, even. In an ideal world, the Browns might have some comfort in knowing that a reliable receiver like Boston could be on the board when the team’s No. 39 overall pick comes around, but of course, the draft is not an ideal world. Chances are, if the Browns want to pick Boston, they’ll need to do it at No. 24.
Boston caught 125 passes in 25 games over the past two seasons, for 1,715 yards. More important for NFL evaluators looking at where he contributes most at the next level were the 20 touchdowns he logged.
Even if pure speed is a concern, Pro Football Focus writes of him, “Denzel Boston is a smooth-moving ‘X’ receiver with the size and skill set to develop into a starting outside receiver at the next level. He is less comfortable and productive against zone coverage, but in single-coverage situations, he is often the player to bet on thanks to his elite hand strength.”
Browns Desperate for WR Help
The Browns’ need for help in the wide-receiver room is obvious, and if there is a fortunate aspect of the way this draft is shaping up, it’s that Cleveland will certainly be able to address that need, either by taking Carnell Tate at No. 6 or circling back to receivers at No. 24–Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper and Boston are possible first-round picks.
With Jerry Jeudy posting an awful 2025, the Browns receivers combined for just 117 catches. The NFL leader, Puka Nacua of the Rams, had 129 catches.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams
Denzel Boston Draws Puka Nacua Comparison
And speaking of Nacua, the Browns and other teams weighing Boston’s value despite his lack of sheer speed will want to remember Nacua, as NFL.com’s Lance Zeirlein notes in his scouting report.
Nacua ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash in 2023, which sank his stock down to the fifth round. But like Boston, Pacua has size, strength, and surprising in-game speed.
Writes Zeirlein of Boston, “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. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route.”