BEREA, Ohio — Denzel Boston provided an early look at the skill set the Cleveland Browns saw when they used a high pick on the rookie during the 2026 draft. During 7-on-7 drills in the team’s second OTA, Boston split outside against cornerback Tyson Campbell, executed an outside release and decelerated to create separation on a double move. Quarterback Deshaun Watson delivered a 30-yard pass to Boston in the end zone, and Boston hauled it in despite contact from Campbell and safety Ronnie Hickman.
Browns coach Todd Monken called the play encouraging and praised the pick. Cleveland selected Boston at No. 39 overall last month, even after using the 24th overall pick earlier in the draft on wide receiver KC Concepcion. Boston is listed at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, giving the Browns a larger boundary option in a receiver room that otherwise features only one other wideout taller than 6-1: fourth-year player Cedric Tillman.
Boston’s college production at Washington highlighted his role as a downfield and red-zone target. Over the past two seasons, 16 of his 20 receiving touchdowns came from wide alignments, the third most in FBS during that span. He has 26 contested catches since 2024, tied for 10th most in FBS, and recorded 20 end-zone targets last season, the second most in FBS.
Monken also noted Boston’s route skills during rookie minicamp and the early portion of OTAs, saying the rookie has a noticeable catch radius and quick feet for a player with his length. Though Boston projects as an outside receiver in the NFL, roughly 30 percent of his college snaps came from the slot, a versatility he referenced himself: “I’m a smart player, so I can play through a bracket, and I can also play on the outside through press coverage,” Boston said.
Coaching staff have split practices into walk-throughs to maximize reps for rookies and younger players as they learn the playbook. Monken said Boston’s size, contested-catch ability and red-zone background were reasons the team targeted him and that plays like the one in OTAs will help speed his acclimation to the Browns’ offense.
