Denzel Boston Scouting Report | CouchScouts Podcast Ep.114

The 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with big-bodied pass catchers, and Washington’s Denzel Boston is making a loud case to be near the top of that list. Standing at 6'4" and 210 lbs, Boston is a physical outlier who dominated in 2025 with 11 touchdowns and a massive bowl game performance against Boise State. But is he a true WR1 for dynasty fantasy football, or just another contested-catch specialist who will struggle to separate on Sundays? In this episode of the CouchScouts podcast, we dive into the tape to see if Boston is the next Courtland Sutton or a dangerous fade.

Episode Timestamps:

• 01:00 – The Profile: From 3-star recruit to Washington's TD machine.

• 03:45 – Release & Route Running: Analyzing his ability to separate as a true X-receiver.

• 11:45 – Ball Skills: Why his 73% contested catch rate is the stat you need to know.

• 19:55 – Athleticism & Speed: Is he a plodder or a long-strider with build-up speed?

• 27:50 – The Verdict: Final film grades, pro comparisons, and potential landing spots.

Physicality Over Finesse: Route Running

Denzel Boston is an undeniable physical presence on the field. We graded him with a 9/10 for Physicality, noting that he plays like a tank who can bully defensive backs at the line of scrimmage and at the top of his routes. He effectively uses his 6'4" frame to box out defenders, winning more with strength and leverage than with quickness.

However, his route running lacks the twitch and suddenness of smaller receivers. We assigned him a 5/10 for Quickness, observing that he can be "lumbering" in and out of breaks and struggles to sink his hips on short-to-intermediate routes. While his release package against press coverage is solid (graded 8/10), he is far more effective on deep vertical routes where he can use his size and build-up speed than on horizontal cuts that require agility. PFF data supports this, giving him an elite 89.8 receiving grade vs. man coverage in 2025, proving he can win one-on-one even without elite separation.

The "Contested Catch Merchant": Ball Skills

If there is a superpower in Boston's game, it is his ability to attack the football in the air. This was a unanimous high point in our evaluation, with Boston earning near-elite grades (9/10) for Contested Catch and Catch Radius. He possesses incredibly sticky hands (3.1% drop rate) and attacks the ball at the high point, never letting it get into his body.

The most telling stat? He posted a ridiculous 73% contested catch rate on 11 contested targets in 2025. While some might label him a "merchant" of 50/50 balls, the tape shows a player who creates his own luck through elite body control and hand strength. He makes difficult adjustments to the ball look routine, often bailing out poor quarterback play with acrobatic catches along the sideline or in the back of the end zone.

Athleticism & YAC: Build-Up Speed

Boston isn't going to win many footraces off the line, but once he gets going, he is a freight train. We graded his game speed at a 7.5/10, identifying him as a "long strider" with impressive build-up speed that allows him to threaten defenses vertically. He isn't explosive out of his stance (6.5/10 burst), but he has enough top-end speed to be a legitimate deep threat.

His Yards After Catch (YAC) ability is adequate but not elite, averaging 4.9 YAC per reception. He isn't going to make defenders miss with jukes or dead-leg moves in the open field. Instead, he wins YAC the same way he wins routes: with violence. He will lower his shoulder, run through arm tackles, and fight for extra yardage, essentially falling forward for gains rather than creating them with elusiveness.

The Verdict

Denzel Boston projects as a classic NFL X-receiver—a physical, reliable target who thrives in the red zone and on deep balls. With a Composite Film Grade of 75.5, he lands firmly in our "Fantasy Starter" tier. While he may lack the elite separation skills of a top-5 pick, his profile is strikingly similar to players like Courtland Sutton or a young Michael Pittman Jr.. We view him as a late first-round rookie pick who could thrive in a vertical passing offense like Buffalo or New Orleans.

Want to see the film yourself? Join the CouchScouts to unlock the full Denzel Boston Scouting Profile and access our database of All-22 cutups. Want to join the conversation? Join our free Discord to engage with a community of 250+ Dynasty Fantasy Football enthusiasts and get real-time advice.