Todd McShay explains why Denzel Boston could be a potential first-round pick in 2026 NFL Draft

Washington WR Denzel Boston got the chance to emerge last season in Seattle. He’ll have the opportunity to continue that as a senior and, with it, try to get his stock as high as being a first round pick in the NFL Draft.

Todd McShay named Boston as a top seven receiver for the 2026 NFL Draft earlier this week on ‘The McShay Show.’ That’s with a standard evaluation of him as a prospect that has a lot of traits that would make him, if nothing else, reliable as a pro receiver.

“Denzel Boston, Washington receiver. 6’4, 210. Really intriguing frame, right?” McShay said. “Estimated 4.52, so like, good enough speed for his size, not a burner. I thought, versus man coverage, one-on-one, he was really, really good. I thought he was okay, solid with like the zone stuff. Caught the ball extremely well – three drops last year. That’s it – 4.5%. He was up there, like, I don’t know, high 80 percentile, whatever it was.

“Big, strong receiver. Uses quick feet and physicality, that combination. Not a burner, he’s not going to get guys backed off and worried, but it’s this quick feet at the top of the stem with a little, you know, to get separation. I didn’t see much as a vertical guy, not huge after the catch, but drags defenders, generates extra yards with his strength. But, my goodness, he’s just reliable. As a route runner, catching the football. Is excellent – not good, excellent – on contested catches. Knows how to body guys. Strong frame, strong hands. I just kept writing the same notes – big, physical, tightly-packed, sturdy, not explosive, not fast, but good contested, strong in traffic, reliable hands. It’s all the same notes, you know.”

Over his first two seasons, Boston caught seven passes for 66 yards. Then, after the changes going into his redshirt sophomore year, Boston blew up with 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns as the Huskies’ second-leading receiver while leading the team in receiving scores.

Now, more changes are coming into his junior year. That starts with Boston with another season of development and as their leading returning wideout and the third-leading receiver returning to the Big Ten. He’ll also have someone new throwing him the football with the excitement around their new, sophomore starter in quarterback Demond Williams Jr.

“He’s entering now his fourth year at UW. He combined for just seven catches his first two seasons, 2022, 2023. Play back the tape. You’ve got Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan. But, in 2024, those guys move on. He has a breakout year,” McShay said. “I’m excited to see this year. Like, this is the step-up year because last year’s leading receiver, Giles Jackson, is gone. And so now it’s his receiver room. And so it’s his second year as a full-time starter, his receiver room…He might not have as many catches, maybe he does but my guess is he’s going to have some bigger play opportunities. So that’s that.

“Demond Williams? More of a runner at this point than, like, pure passer. But I told you at Manning Passing Academy, he stood out. Like, really athletic, big arm,” added McShay.

Boston put his name on draft boards with his production last fall. His next could then put him in a position to hear his name called on night one of the draft come April, McShay thought.

“I give him an 82 grade, but like, recognize that a second-year, full-time starter? It wouldn’t shock me if we were talking late first for this guy when it’s all said and done,” McShay said.