For those who shouted, screamed, and moaned when the Cleveland Browns selected receiver KC Concepcion in Round 1 instead of Washington receiver Denzel Boston on Thursday night, Browns GM Andrew Berry says to chill out. He’s got you.
Boston was passed over by every team in the first round and was available for the second round. With the seventh slot in the second round, Berry took Boston, and the heavens opened up.
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Yes, something has changed in Cleveland.
It seems the Browns can indeed have nice things.
In the first round, Browns fans were clamoring for Boston, who stands 6’-4” with a stout frame of 212 pounds. Concepcion is just 5’-11” and 196 pounds. But size and height do not make a great receiver. Neither does elite speed. Remember how Anthony Schwartz had Olympic speed but couldn’t catch a cold? Concepcion was the better receiver of the three that was staring down Berry when he made his choice between these two and also Indiana’s Omar Cooper.
The Browns came into this year’s NFL draft with specific positions of need that had to be addressed. The receiver spot had a big red star scribbled next to the notation. Berry had an excellent haul in last year’s draft, and the last thing he wanted was not to get at least two good offensive linemen, a safety, and some receivers.
Receivers. That’s plural in case you didn’t notice.
Cooper went #30 to the New York Jets, who so far have had an excellent draft. Of the four receivers predicted to be taken in the first round, Boston was the only one remaining. At the top of Round 2, the San Francisco 49ers were on the clock with the first pick and were having problems with their star receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. So, they needed a receiver. Boston was sitting there. The card went to the commissioner, who passed it off to former Niners punter Andy Lee.
Lee strolled up to the podium and announced that San Fran had chosen Ole Miss receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (6’-2”, 207 pounds). Stribling had a ranking of #90, which is the bottom of the third round.
After the Arizona Cardinals took an offensive guard, it was four straight defensive picks. Boston was still sitting there. Berry wrote Boston’s name on the card in Sharpie, ran to the selection box, knocking over a plant and kicking over somebody’s grandma’s self-standing quad cane, and handed over the selection.
Then, former Browns cornerback Joe Haden strolled out looking cool with his shades despite being inside, while “I wear my sunglasses at night” tuned away in the background. Berry had picked Boston, and suddenly, the two selections of the two receivers made a ton of sense.
The height and feistiness of Boston, coupled with the speed and efficiency of Concepcion, paired with Jerry Jeudy, was going to make everything better this year.
And suddenly, it dawned on every Browns fan: We just might be able to have nice things.
Who is Boston? Why does Cleveland need him? What does he offer?
Beginnings
Boston grew up in Puyallup, Washington, but was born in Boise, Idaho. The Puyallup Valley was inhabited by the Puyallup Native Americans, who numbered around 2,000 until European settlers began to arrive around 1850. Today, the population is just under 43,000, total.
Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup was Boston’s school, where he played football and ran track. Before high school, he also played baseball and basketball. His best time in the 200 meters was 23.08, while his best distance in the triple jump was 42 feet, 10 inches. He also participated in some relay events on occasion, although he wasn’t a starting member.
His parents are Chris and Rechelle Boston, and no, he isn’t related to former NFL receiver David Boston. He is the youngest of four boys. His father is a football coach. His brother Andrew played for Hamilton of the CFL.
Boston had the distinction of playing with the same football players while growing up from the third grade until their senior year of high school.
His career stats in high school include 30 games played, 105 receptions for 1,572 yards, a 15.0 yards per catch average, and 23 touchdowns. He also returned 11 punts.
High School accolades:
- Four-year starter
- First Team 4A South Puget Sound League
- Tacoma News-Tribune’s Second-Team All-Area honors
He had offers from Arizona, Washington, Nevada, Arizona State, Oregon, Penn State, Eastern Washington, UCLA, Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State. He chose Washington and was in the first class of recruits for new head coach Kalen DeBoer before he resigned and took the head coaching gig at Alabama.
Boston played four years at Washington with career stats: 132 receptions, 1,781 yards, 20 TDs, 13,5 yards per catch average, one rush for two yards, plus 25 punt returns for 212 yards, an 8.5 average per return, and one score.
His Pro Day results:
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 211 pounds
Hand: 9 3/4”
Arm: 32”
Wingspan: 77 3/4”
40-yard dash: DNP
20-yard shuttle: 4.28
3-cone: 6.80
225-pound bench press: DNP
Vertical jump: 35”
Broad jump: DNP
College games: 37
College snaps: 1,540
College accolades:
- Third-team All-Big Ten (as a receiver)
- Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (as a returner)
- Big Ten All-Academic Team
- Offensive Skill Player of the Year Award
- Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2024)
- Fall Academic All-Big Ten Team (2024)
Follow on social media:
Twitter: @dl_boston5
Instagram: @denzellboston
What should Browns fans expect from Boston?
He offers multiple strengths to make an impact at the next level. Boston is also an accomplished punt returner. His greatest asset is being able to win on contested throws and poorly thrown balls. Has great size and uses his body against smaller defenders with physicality.
WHY HE COULD SUCCEED:
Has great acceleration at 4.6 and will get going quickly, that he is able to carry through his route without wasting motion. Great Red Zone target with long arms and knows how to jump and use his body for his benefit. Very good ball tracking skills, and initially can get open.
Able to break tackles if a defender doesn’t wrap up. Can shield the ball using his body. Willing blocker and can use a crack-down block.
WHY HE COULD FAIL:
Boston’s completion numbers dip when elite cornerbacks cover him. His YAC numbers aren’t good as he is brought down usually on the first attempt. Separation needs work. He will get better yardage numbers not with his feet, but by falling forward. He does not offer big play upside.
Has quickness but not great speed. Well, we think. He never did run a 40 at the Combine or at his Pro Day, so is that a red flag? Positioning needs improvement, and is not a serious deep threat.
