Denzel Boston
Denzel Boston  WR  Washington | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Denzel Boston
Height
6-4
Weight
209
College
Washington
Position
WR
Class
Sophomore
Home town
South Hill, WA
87.4/100
Player Rating
3
PositionRank (WR)
4.52
FortyYD Time
Receptions
63
Rec YDs
834
Rec TDs
9
Rec AVG
13.2

Denzel Boston WR Washington | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Denzel Boston WR Washington
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Outside X-Receiver
Last Updated: 05/07/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*)
Measurables:
Height: 6-4 (89%*) Weight: 209 (69%*)
Forty: 4.52 (O) (44%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver
Last Updated: 05/07/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-4 (89%*) Weight: 209 (69%*)
Forty: 4.52 (O) (44%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 87.4 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
75%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 101.2
Hands:
80%
Short Receiving:
81%
Intermediate Routes:
85%
Deep Threat:
83%
Blocking:
61%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 1st - Mid
Overall Rank: #24 Position rank: #3
College Games: 25 College Snaps: 916
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 80/100
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 86 Stars 247 RATING: 86/100
Grade: 3 Stars 3 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Keon Coleman - Florida State
87%
George Pickens - Georgia
86%
Cedric Tillman - Tennessee
83%
Draft Profile: Bio
Denzel Boston, a native of Puyallup, Washington, attended Emerald Ridge High School where he played four years on varsity. During his high school career, he accumulated 105 receptions for 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns. Boston was named to the All-South Puget Sound League first team in 2021 and the Tacoma News-Tribune's all-area second team as a junior. He was ranked as the No. 71 receiver in the nation by ESPN.com with a 4-star rating, while receiving 3-star ratings from 247 Sports and Rivals.

At Washington, Boston played in four games during the 2022 season, preserving a year of eligibility. He made his debut against Portland State, scoring on a two-yard run while adding a 10-yard reception. In 2023, Boston appeared in 14 games with one start, primarily contributing on special teams where he earned the coaches' special teams player of the week following the Michigan State game. He also served as the Huskies' punt returner in several games.

Boston's 2024 season marked his emergence as Washington's leading receiver. He started all 13 games, recording 63 catches for 807 yards and nine touchdowns – a mark that tied for eighth-most in school history. His notable performances included back-to-back games with over 120 yards against Northwestern (7 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TDs) and Rutgers (6 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TDs). Boston earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from both coaches and media, was named to the Fall Academic All-Big Ten team, and received Washington's offensive skill player of the year award at the postseason banquet.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Creates natural separation at the stem with subtle body manipulation and deceptive long-stride acceleration that lulls corners into false sense of timing.
  • Absolute monster in contested catch situations who positions his frame masterfully – doesn't just high-point the ball but actively boxes out defenders like a power forward.
  • Shows legitimate build-up speed that sneaks up on defenders playing off coverage, eating cushion with long, fluid strides before breaking routes off with surprising efficiency.
  • Thrives in the 15-25 yard intermediate range where his combination of size, body control and strong hands allow him to dominate the most valuable real estate on the field.
  • Red zone weapon who brings both tactical route understanding and physical dominance – uses frame to seal off defenders and presents enormous catch radius to quarterbacks.
  • Catches with his hands away from his body consistently, showing natural pass-catching technique rather than body-catching tendencies that plague many big receivers.
  • Shows actual effort and technical understanding as a blocker – doesn't just occupy space but actively seeks to establish leverage and maintain engagement through the whistle.
  • Brings surprising value after the catch for his size – doesn't dance around but gets upfield with purpose and uses his frame to fall forward through contact.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lacks elite burst off the line – can be disrupted by physical press corners who challenge him at the snap before he builds momentum in his routes.
  • Change of direction skills remain a work in progress – takes extra steps to gear down and redirect, limiting effectiveness on sharp-breaking routes like comebacks and digs.
  • Can struggle against defenders who match his physicality – occasionally gets knocked off his intended path by corners who aren't intimidated by his size advantage.
  • Sometimes rounds off routes at the top rather than creating sharp, defined breaks, telegraphing intentions to savvy defensive backs who jump underneath routes.
  • Despite punt return experience, doesn't demonstrate the dynamic lateral agility or explosive first step that would translate to consistent separation against NFL corners.
Scouting Report: Summary
Boston will thrive immediately in a timing-based passing game where his nuanced route running and contested catch ability become weapons. His bread and butter lives in the 15-25 yard range where he bullies smaller corners and finds soft spots in zones with veteran awareness. The tape screams reliable chain-mover with touchdown upside - I watched him consistently win against Northwestern and Rutgers by using his frame to wall off defenders when space was minimal. That skill translates day one to NFL third downs where windows shrink and physicality determines success.

The ideal NFL landing spot for Boston is any offense needing a physical boundary receiver who brings immediate red zone threat capabilities. His playing style complements smaller, quicker receivers by providing the size element that creates matchup problems against undersized defensive backs. Offensive coordinators who value possession receivers with jump-ball skills will see Boston as an immediate contributor, particularly in systems that attack the intermediate areas of the field where his combination of size and body control becomes most valuable.

Boston won't outrun NFL corners, but that doesn't matter when evaluating his game. His elite body control, vice-grip hands, and basketball-style positioning make him a quarterback's best friend when plays break down. The film reveals a receiver who understands leverage points in coverage and works back to his quarterback with savvy veteran moves. Watch his fourth quarter against Northwestern - three critical third down conversions where he manipulated defenders with subtle head fakes before breaking precisely to open space. That's NFL-ready route running you can't teach.

How other scouting services rate Denzel Boston (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
30.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
4.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.