Denzel Boston Rising: Former Huskies WR Gaining First-Round Steam Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
The NFL season wrapped up with the Seattle Seahawks hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, and just like that, the focus shifts to the next big event on the league calendar: the NFL Draft. Before we get to Pittsburgh in April, all eyes will be on the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis from February 22 to March 2 - a key proving ground for draft hopefuls looking to boost their stock.
One name that’s starting to gain serious traction in first-round conversations is former Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston. After a standout 2025 season in Seattle, Boston is being projected by some draft analysts to hear his name called on Day 1 - and potentially even earlier than some expect.
In a recent mock draft, Boston was pegged as the 26th overall pick to the Buffalo Bills. That would make him the fourth wide receiver off the board, behind Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (fifth to the Giants), Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson (eighth to the Saints), and USC’s Makai Lemon (24th to the Browns). But there’s a growing sense that Boston and Lemon could climb even higher depending on how the draft board shakes out.
The argument for Boston is simple: he brings tremendous value as a late-first-round pick. At 6-foot-4, he’s a big-bodied target with the kind of length and catch radius that quarterbacks love, and he’s coming off a season where he proved he can be the guy in a Power Five offense. His chemistry with sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was a major reason Washington’s offense stayed explosive in 2025, even after several stars left for the NFL the year prior.
Boston led the Huskies in receiving this past season, hauling in 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns - averaging 14.2 yards per grab. That touchdown total tied him for ninth in the country, a testament to both his red zone prowess and his ability to win in contested catch situations. When Washington needed a play, Boston was the one they dialed up.
He saved one of his best performances for last, too. In the Huskies’ 38-10 win over Boise State in the Los Angeles Bowl on December 13, Boston capped his college career with six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown - a fitting exclamation point on what’s been a steady rise over the past two seasons.
Looking at his full body of work, Boston finished his time at Washington with 132 receptions, 1,781 yards (13.5 yards per catch), and 20 touchdowns - all of which came in his final two seasons. That kind of production, especially in a conference known for its defensive backs, speaks volumes.
If Boston does go in the first round, he’ll become the sixth Washington player and third wide receiver to be selected in the first two rounds over the last three drafts. While the Huskies didn’t have a first-round pick in 2025, they made a big splash in 2024 when quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Rome Odunze, and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu all went in Round 1. Ja’Lynn Polk and Roger Rosengarten followed in Round 2 that same year.
It’s becoming clear that the Huskies are building a pipeline to the pros - and Denzel Boston might just be the next in line to keep that tradition going. With his size, production, and knack for showing up in big moments, he’s got the tools NFL teams covet. Now, with the Combine and pro days ahead, he’ll have the chance to show he’s not just a first-round talent - but one who can make an immediate impact on Sundays.