The Browns may have found something special in Denzel Boston.
Cleveland spent the offseason trying to add more juice to its offense, and the front office attacked the wide receiver spot by taking KC Concepcion and Boston back-to-back in the draft. Both came in with plenty of buzz, but Boston is the one making the fastest noise.
After just two games, the rookie has already pushed himself into rare territory. He’s been nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week after his Week 2 performance against the Buccaneers, and his start has put him in the same statistical neighborhood as some of the league’s best young receivers of the last two decades.
Boston is only the fifth wide receiver since 2003 to post 50-plus receiving yards and a touchdown in each of his first two career games. That list includes Jordan Addison, Ja’Marr Chase, Terry McLaurin and Calvin Johnson. He’s also already shown up in the Browns’ record book for rookie receivers after his Week 1 performance.
Through the opening two weeks, Boston has been the most productive rookie receiver in the league. He leads all rookie wideouts in yards, touchdowns, yards after catch and longest reception, and he’s done it while quickly building chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The production has come in back-to-back strong outings. In Cleveland’s loss to Jacksonville in Week 1, Boston caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, averaging 29.5 yards per catch. He followed that up against Tampa Bay with five catches for 95 yards and another score, helping the Browns win on the road.
His size and strength have already started to show up on tape, and defensive backs have had a hard time dealing with him even this early in his career. If he keeps producing like this, the Rookie of the Week nod could be the first of several honors for Boston this season.
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