The Rams made their bet on Ty Simpson, and they’re not looking back. But the receiver they passed on, Denzel Boston, is already making the Browns look smart for grabbing him at No. 39.
Boston, the former Washington Huskies standout, has wasted no time flashing the traits that made him such a tempting draft name in the first place. Through four games, he leads Cleveland with 13 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and he kept it rolling Thursday night against Pittsburgh with a 60-yard catch and his third game of at least 50 receiving yards. It was also his third grab of 45-plus yards this season.
That kind of production is turning heads fast. Boston has become Deshaun Watson’s go-to target, blending explosiveness with the kind of contested-catch reliability that makes him look like a steal. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he has the frame to win down the field and the trust to be featured early.
That’s exactly why he was so often linked to the Rams before the draft. Some scouts thought Los Angeles was leaning toward USC receiver Makai Lemon or even a move back for Boston. Instead, the Rams went with Simpson, while Cleveland pounced.
The decision made sense from Los Angeles’ side. Sean McVay clearly values having Simpson ready for the future, especially with Matthew Stafford showing a little wear in the knees. The Rams are invested in what comes next.
But Boston’s start is a reminder of what they gave up in the present.
Los Angeles is thin at receiver behind Davante Adams. Puka Nacua has been hurt, and tight ends Terrance Ferguson, who is dealing with an ankle injury, and Colby Parkinson, who has a shoulder issue, are also sidelined. Nacua is expected back in Week 4, but the Rams are still scrambling for dependable targets.
Konata Mumpfield just had a career day against the Broncos, but outside of Adams, the Rams have gotten very little from the passing game. McVay hasn’t even leaned on Tutu Atwell or rookie CJ Daniels, and Jordan Whittington has only one catch for eight yards in two games.
Boston would not have been the Rams’ top option in Los Angeles, but his start in Cleveland makes the fit easy to imagine. He’d instantly profile as WR3 for the Rams, and Stafford has always liked a big-bodied target.
For now, though, Boston belongs to Cleveland, and the Browns look like they found a gem. The Rams chose their future. Boston is already helping somebody else right now.
In Other News...
Rams Pass Interference Frustration Is Fueling This NFL Debate
Controversial pass interference calls in Week 3 have pushed an old NFL argument back into the spotlight, with coaches once again weighing whether those penalties should be reviewable or challengeable. Around the league, the frustration is familiar: a single flag can reshape a drive, yet the sport has long struggled with how much oversight is too much once officiating starts to slow the game down.
Sean McVay added more fuel to the conversation by confirming the league agreed a pass interference penalty against the Rams was incorrect in a recent game. Across the division, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he once supported allowing challenges on those calls, but he is more hesitant now because of the effect on game flow. For the Rams, it is another reminder that the debate is not just about fairness, but about what kind of game the NFL is willing to live with. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Fans Will Relate To Kelly Staffords Reaction After That Call
The Rams trip to Denver ended with plenty of frustration, and one late pass interference flag on Josh Wallace became the kind of call fans could not stop replaying in their heads. Jason Kelce even weighed in on the New Heights podcast, saying Broncos receiver Pat Bryants exaggerated wrist movement should have worked against the penalty, and Bryant later admitted he had indeed sold the contact to draw the flag. Denver then cashed in with the game-winning touchdown, leaving Los Angeles with another tough result to dissect.
Kelly Stafford seemed to capture the mood from the family side of the trip, sharing photos from Denver as the game played out. For Rams fans, it is the familiar mix of travel, emotion and officiating frustration that can make a loss linger a little longer, especially when a single call ends up shaping the final moments. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Offense Just Lost A Piece Sean McVay Has Counted On
Terrance Fergusons rookie season hit a setback this week, with the Rams placing the tight end on injured reserve because of a medial ankle sprain. The move means Ferguson will miss at least four weeks, taking away a young pass-catching option Sean McVay had been counting on as the offense tries to keep its depth intact.
To help cover the roster shuffle, Los Angeles elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman and defensive end Larrell Murchison from the practice squad. Fergusons absence also opens the door for rookie Max Klare to see more snaps at tight end, giving the Rams another chance to test their depth at a position that suddenly looks thinner than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]