The Cleveland Browns made a splash move at the start of the second round when they selected Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston. Boston was a player that was highly ranked and highly evaluated in this draft process, and Cleveland got their hands on him with the 39th overall pick.
For the Browns, they take two major swings at the position that they need the most, wide receiver. They go with KC Concepcion at the end of the first round and pair him up with Boston at the start of the second round. Cleveland has addressed its biggest need.
Here are five things to know about the Browns’ new wide receiver.
1. Steve Smith loves the pick, again
Former NFL legend Steve Smith Sr. loved the Browns’ selection of KC Concepcion and then again, loved what the Browns did with Boston. He said that Boston is a “BEAST” and that he will be a great compliment to Concepcion.
#dawgpound we meet again! Denzel Boston is a BEAST and will be a great compliment to KC Concepcion #nfldrafthttps://t.co/QVIOt1nJk3
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) April 25, 2026
2. Dawg Mentality
Boston is bringing a nasty mentality to Cleveland, one that they have been needing for a very long time, especially in the wide receiver room. In his post-draft press conference with the Cleveland media, Boston said that his entire goal when he goes against an opponent is that he doesn’t want him to “go home and be happy around his family.”
Boston is bringing an attitude to Cleveland that the Browns sorely need.
“My whole goal when I go against a defender is I don’t want him to be able to go home and be happy to be around his family. I want him to feel that from that game. That’s the mentality that I’m bringing to the Cleveland Browns.”
➡️ @Browns second round pick WR Denzel Boston with… pic.twitter.com/FFnwUQ7qeu
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 25, 2026
3. Impressive 2025 Numbers
Boston put up impressive numbers last year in the Big Ten. He finished with 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. This tied him for ninth in the entire NFL last year. He finished third-team All-Big Ten after a solid 2025 season.
4. Huge catch radius
What Boston sacrifices in speed, he makes up for with a massive catch radius and incredible hands. Not only does he stand at nearly 6’4″, but according to NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, he has “pro-caliber ball skills” to go along with elite hand strength to finish. He doesn’t stop at the catch point; he is great with the ball in his hands after the catch.
One NFL scout said that “you don’t have to be fast when you are as good as he is when he is guarded.”
5. Big dreams
Coming into college in 2022, Boston said that his dream job outside of football was to be an FBI Agent. He said in an interview with 247 Sports that he wanted to “go on secret missions, the ones you can’t even talk about.”
Cleveland got their hands on another great wide receiver, one that they hope to build around as a core part of their team for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Draft: 5 things to know about new WR Denzel Boston