Washington’s Top Target, Denzel Boston, Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
The Washington Huskies are about to lose one of their most productive offensive weapons - but for all the right reasons. Redshirt junior wide receiver Denzel Boston announced on Christmas Eve that he’s declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility and taking his talents to the next level.
If you followed Washington football this season, you know Boston wasn’t just a key piece - he was the guy in that receiving corps. He led the Huskies in catches (62), receiving yards (881), and touchdowns (11), putting together one of the most complete seasons by a Pac-12 wideout in 2025.
His 11 receiving touchdowns weren’t just team-best - they tied for sixth in the nation. That’s elite territory.
To put Boston’s dominance into perspective: the next closest Husky receiver, Dezmen Roebuck, trailed by 20 receptions, 321 yards, and four touchdowns. That kind of gap doesn’t just happen. It’s the mark of a go-to playmaker - someone who consistently gets separation, wins contested catches, and delivers in the red zone.
A Career Built on Loyalty and Growth
Boston’s path to this moment has been anything but linear. A Washington native out of Puyallup, he committed to the Huskies back in August 2021 as a three-star recruit.
At the time, the program was under then-head coach Jimmy Lake. When Lake was fired later that fall, Boston could’ve easily reopened his recruitment - especially with offers on the table from Arizona State, Arizona, Washington State, and Eastern Washington.
But he stayed committed.
That loyalty carried over again when Kalen DeBoer took the reins in Seattle. And even after DeBoer left for Alabama, Boston remained in the Pacific Northwest, choosing to stick with the Huskies under new head coach Jedd Fisch - a decision that paid off in a big way.
Boston’s early years were quiet. He redshirted in 2022 and caught just seven passes for 66 yards across the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined.
But once Fisch arrived, Boston’s game took off. Over the past two seasons, he racked up 125 catches for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns.
That’s not just a breakout - that’s a full-blown star turn.
He closes out his college career with 132 catches, 1,781 yards, and 20 touchdowns - averaging a strong 13.5 yards per reception. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, he’s got the frame NFL teams drool over, and he’s proven he can be productive in a featured role.
NFL Draft Stock on the Rise
Boston’s name is already generating buzz in draft circles. In a recent ESPN mock draft, analyst Kirby Yates projected him to go 25th overall to the Buffalo Bills - a team in need of a reliable, high-upside target to complement (or eventually replace) their current receiving core.
Yates’ breakdown of Boston’s game hits on all the right notes: size, versatility, and red zone dominance. Boston has hauled in 19 touchdowns over the last two years - many of them in tight spaces where his 6-4 frame and body control give him a clear edge.
He’s also been remarkably sure-handed, with just two drops on 189 targets since 2024. That kind of reliability matters, especially for a Bills offense that’s struggled with drops all season.
According to ESPN’s big board, Boston currently ranks as the No. 4 wide receiver and the No. 24 overall prospect in the 2026 draft class. That puts him squarely in first-round territory - and potentially one of the top receivers off the board come April.
What’s Next
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and Boston’s name will be one to watch closely. He’s already shown he can produce at a high level, adapt to coaching changes, and carry the load in a featured role. Now, he’ll look to do the same on Sundays.
For Washington, Boston’s departure leaves a big hole in the offense - both in terms of production and leadership. But for the player and the program, this is a success story. A local kid stuck with his school through thick and thin, developed into a top-tier talent, and now gets his shot at the NFL.
One chapter closes. A bigger one begins.