NFL Draft: Browns pick UW Huskies WR Denzel Boston 39th overall

UW Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston didn’t hear his named called during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but he didn’t have too wait long when the event picked back up on Friday.

The big-bodied Boston, an Emerald Ridge High School product, was selected with the 39th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the second round.

Seahawks 2026 NFL Draft Tracker: Keep up with picks and trades

After seeing little playing time as a member of a deep receiver room in his first two years at UW, Boston emerged as the Huskies’ go-to option with back-to-back seasons of at least 800 yards and nine TDs receiving during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The 22-year-old wideout had his best year this past season as a redshirt junior, hauling in 62 receptions for career highs of 881 yards and 11 TDs while averaging 14.2 yards per catch. He finished tied for ninth in FBS in TD receptions. Boston also added 104 yards and one TD on eight punt returns. His efforts earned third-team All-Big Ten honors.

With his selection on Friday, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Boston became the fourth player from UW’s 2023 wide receiver group to be picked in the draft, joining 2024 selections Rome Odunze (first round), Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Jalen McMillan (third round). Germie Bernard, who was a member of that 2023 receiver corps before later transferring to Alabama, became the fifth soon after when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him 47th overall.

Boston was the second local product picked in the draft. Penn State guard and former Graham-Kapowsin High School standout Olaivavega Ioane was taken 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

Here’s what draft analyst Lane Zierlein wrote about Boston in his draft profile on NFL.com.

Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.

More NFL Draft coverage

• Rams’ McVay didn’t seem excited about pick of QB Simpson
• Brock: What separated Price from Seahawks’ other RB draft options
• Draft Reaction: Seahawks’ pick of RB Price a merge of talent, need
• Brock: Rams’ QB pick at No. 13 overall a gift to Seattle Seahawks
• Here are the NFL Draft prospects from the UW Huskies and Seattle area

Related

New Seahawks owner Khosla addresses Lumen Field and moreNFL owners approve Seahawks sale to Khosla-led groupLeonard Williams: Macdonald’s authenticity set tone for Seahawks’ successStacy Rost: Making sense of the Sam Darnold discourseAmsinger: Why the Mariners will win the AL West titleSeahawks on ‘Hard Knocks’: Highlights from episode 4