Coming off a career performance in Washington’s 42-25 win over Illinois, Denzel Boston’s NFL draft stock is exploding.
Even though the Huskies‘ star junior came into the season projected as a first-round pick in April, he’s moving into the top end of the first round in what is turning into a loaded class at wide receiver with a 10-catch, 153-yard performance against the Illini, where he caught a touchdown and threw a 12-yard score to running back Jonah Coleman.
Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice released an update to his 2026 big board on Friday and ranked Boston as the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 2 wide receiver in the draft.
“A smooth route runner in a big frame,” Tice wrote.
“Boston can easily get in and out of his breaks and is agile enough to be a dangerous punt returner despite being listed at 6-4, 209 pounds. Boston is a hands catcher with range who can quickly transition into a runner because of the confidence he has in his ball skills. His ability to consistently adjust for the football, combined with his frame, makes him a weapon along the sidelines and in the red zone. Boston has build-up speed with the ball in his hands and can pull away with his long strides, and to cap it all off, he has a knack for the little things like blocking and route timing.”
Pro Football Focus’ NFL Stock Exchange podcast had similar praise for the former three-star recruit from nearby Emerald Ridge High School.
“You’re so used to him being this contested catch monster, but what impressed me in this game against Illinois…was everything else: the IQ, the patience in his routes, the scheme, they know how to use him in condensed formations,” co-host Connor Rogers said.
Boston has been one of the nation’s best pass catchers in contested catch scenarios this season, winning on 66.7 percent of his opportunities according to Pro Football Focus. That has helped him rack up 668 receiving yards this season, which ranks No. 13 in the nation, on 44 catches with 7 touchdowns.
“After the catch, he just wants to bully you,” Rogers continued. “That’s where that big frame runs over safeties, runs over corners. He had two third-and-sixes that he converted. Monster day for Denzel Boston, who is just one of those big perimeter threats who wants to show that he can do a little bit of everything.”