The Browns may have found a real one in Denzel Boston.
Cleveland spent April’s draft trying to reshape its passing game, and Boston has wasted no time making that move look smart. Alongside KC Concepcion, who has been electric as a route runner and dangerous after the catch, Boston has given the Browns an immediate lift. He’s also fit neatly with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., helping give Cleveland some much-needed juice outside the numbers.
Boston, taken 39th overall, has already become the Browns’ leading receiver entering Week 10. That production has pushed him into the early Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation, with Jake Beckman of FanSided naming him the current favorite in his midseason NFL honors predictions.
“This is still gross because the offensive rookies that have really been standing out aren’t on great offenses. So when I’m looking for a potential Offensive Rookie of the Year, I’m looking at guys who help their offenses function. Right now, that’s Denzel Boston, the Browns’ second-round wide receiver.
"Not only is he the leading receiver on the Browns, but he’s also leading all rookies in receiving yards. I still think there’s a chance that Carnell Tate can grow, be a dominant piece in the Titans’ offense, and win the OROY ... But for the time being it’s Boston, and it’s hard to argue against that.”
The numbers back up the case. Cleveland ranks 26th in EPA per play, according to SumerSports, and sits 24th in total offense, but Boston’s output has still stood out from the noise around him. Through nine games, he has 32 catches for 507 yards, tops on the Browns and tops among rookies in receiving yards.
He’s also been a big-play threat. Boston is averaging 15.8 yards per catch and has already logged two 60-yard plays, including one in Sunday’s overtime loss at the New Orleans Saints.
There’s still a long way to go in his rookie season, and first-year players can always run into the rookie wall. Boston also missed his second straight practice on Thursday with a toe issue, which is worth watching.
Even so, the early returns are strong. Boston has been dependable, productive and explosive, and he still has at least eight games left to keep building on that start.
Carnell Tate or even Concepcion could make a push by season’s end, but Boston has already done enough to make a serious OROY case. More importantly for Cleveland, the Browns look like they’ve got a keeper.
In Other News...
Browns Week 10 Suddenly Has A Travel Problem Fans Need To Watch
Fridays FAA ground stop on all outgoing flights created a travel headache that could ripple into the NFL weekend, with widespread cancellations and delays threatening to throw off team plans. For the Browns and anyone else watching Week 10 unfold, the issue is less about the scoreboard than the logistics, since visiting clubs and league personnel may have to adjust quickly just to get where they need to be.
The Houston Texans are among the teams that could feel the effects most directly, and game officials could face similar problems reaching their destinations on time. Even when the football itself stays on schedule, disruptions like this can complicate preparation, alter routines and add an extra layer of uncertainty to a weekend that already has enough to manage. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Suddenly Have A New Week 10 Problem Against Houston
The Browns had to shuffle their tight end room again this week, signing Carsen Ryan to the active roster and elevating Zaire Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad as they prepare for Houston. Cleveland also placed fullback Michael Burton on injured reserve because of a calf injury, which will keep him out for at least four games and takes another piece out of the mix as the team tries to sort through its short-yardage and blocking options.
It is another reminder of how quickly the margins can change in November, especially for a Browns offense that has already had to adjust around injuries and roster churn. Houston, meanwhile, is dealing with its own availability issues, ruling out running back David Montgomery and cornerback Jaylin Smith while making several roster activations and elevations, so both teams are heading into Week 10 with a few moving parts still to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie May Be Changing A Problem Spot Faster Than Expected
The Browns have spent plenty of time searching for stability up front, and the early returns on their rookie tackles have given the staff a reason to believe the problem spot may not stay a problem for long. Veteran Tytus Howard has had his struggles, but Austin Barber and Spencer Fano have both shown encouraging development as Cleveland keeps sorting through the best answers on the offensive line.
Head coach Todd Monken pointed to Fanos mental toughness and his ability to adapt while learning left tackle in the NFL, two traits that matter as much as raw talent in a room that has needed both. Fano has already climbed to 17th out of 71 offensive tackles in overall Pro Football Focus grade, and with the Browns preparing for the Houston Texans, the expectation is that he keeps trending upward as the workload and the spotlight get bigger. [Read more 🡒]