Denzel Boston didn’t wait long to make his presence felt at Browns training camp.
While Cleveland’s quarterback battle and a revamped offense are grabbing plenty of attention, the rookie receiver has been one of the loudest early storylines in camp. Boston has been stacking strong day after strong day since practices opened Wednesday, and the kind of plays he’s making are hard to ignore.
The highlight so far came when Boston outmuscled cornerback Tre Avery for a 50-50 ball and turned it into a big gain downfield. That’s been the theme with him through the first few days: winning the football in the air, using his 6’4 frame to high-point passes, and showing the ability to work back to the ball while keeping defenders off him.
Boston wasn’t exactly viewed as a sleeper coming out of the draft. He was seen by many as a first-round talent, even though he ended up sliding into the second round. Andrew Berry didn’t hesitate, either, taking him at pick 39 after the Browns had already drafted a wideout at pick 24.
The early buzz hasn’t just been coming from the practice field. Deshaun Watson praised both Boston and KC Concepcion for how quickly they’ve picked up the offense and for the way they’re already making plays.
“I think KC and Boston have been doing a heck of a job picking up the offense, being able to learn from the veteran receivers in the room - but just making plays. Being able to see them come out here and just go up for balls, making contested catches, has been really good.”
Sanders had a similar read on what the rookies are bringing to the room.
“I'm really happy that they're here, and that all the decision-makers made the decision to bring them here, because they definitely held up their end, and they're definitely a part of the standard that we have here.”
There’s still plenty to sort out in Cleveland’s receiver group, but Boston has already made a strong case that he belongs in the conversation near the top. With Jerry Jeudy’s inconsistency and little proven production elsewhere in the room, the path is there for Boston to push into WR1 or WR2 territory. Getting more work with both quarterbacks in camp should only help that grow.
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