Draft Darlings: Denzel Boston could be missing piece to Chiefs’ offense

With players like current Bears receiver Rome Odunze ahead of him on the roster, Boston had to bide his time and wait for his turn to get on the field. Through his first two seasons at Washington, Boston had 7 receptions for 66 yards. But coming into 2024, Odunze was out of the way, and it was his turn to be the guy. He made the most of his opportunity, hauling in 125 receptions for 1715 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Boston didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, but posted a 35-inch vertical leap, an unimpressive mark. However, his short-area agility testing came out well. He registered a 6.8-second result in the three-cone drill, which, for receivers, is more functionally relevant to the position than running fast in a straight line.

My analysis

The first thing I’ll say about Boston is that, despite returning punts for the Huskies last season, he’s not winning any track meets any time soon, and the lack of vertical explosion shows up on tape.

Washington’s quarterback play in 2025 was uninspiring, so he gets a pass on some reps where the quarterback sailed the ball or simply overthrew him. But, that also being said, it’s hard to overthrow any human being that tall with even average leaping skills, and there were multiple reps on tape, where, although the ball was high, Boston couldn’t go up and get it.

The other knock in Boston’s game is that he struggled to get separation against both Ohio State and Oregon when Washington played them earlier this season. So there is a question as to whether he has the athleticism to produce consistently at the next level.

On the positive side, he is a very precise and savvy route runner who understands body leverage, spacing, and positioning. He can line up at all three receiving positions (X, slot and Z).

He’s also really good at doing the primary thing he is supposed to do: catching the ball.

Boston might have some of the strongest hands in this class. He does a good job at catching balls away from his frame. He shows late, sudden hands, which prevent opposing defensive backs from timing their breakups. Not that it really matters, because he had a 75% contested catch rate in 2025.

This high contested catch rate is partially due to his excellent concentration at the catch point, but it’s also because he is an intense competitor. Nobody is ever going to accuse Boston of humility on the football field. He is not afraid to verbally spar with defenders he beats, and regularly lets them know it after an impressive catch. But he also keeps it within the boundary of fair play and does not lose control of himself or the situation. It’s all part of his game.

Washington used Boston at all three levels of the field, including wide receiver screens, intermediate routes over the middle, and deep routes on the perimeter. On third down, Boston was his quarterback’s first read, and if he had man coverage, his quarterback was going his way, trusting that he would be able to find a way to come down with the ball.

Fit with the Chiefs

Fit: Very Strong

Round grade: Late first round (pick 29)

Since 2019, the Chiefs have spent either a first or second-round pick on a wide receiver four times.

That said, the hope would be for a better return on investment. Still, it proves that general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid believe in continuing to take swings to provide quarterback Patrick Mahomes with difference-making pass catchers.

Boston, however, would be a bit of a departure from the style of player drafted in the past. He is what the team hoped wide receiver Rashee Rice would turn into when the organization selected him in 2023. Boston can do everything Rice can, plus he can win on the outside, win contested catches, and has enough speed to stretch the field and use his body and hands to come down with the deep ball.

Whether Boston can ever turn into a true No. 1 receiver in the league remains to be seen, but he would be better than anything the Chiefs currently have on their roster.

I have to admit, I enjoy watching him get in a defender’s face and go toe-to-toe with him. Simply put, he is a really fun player to watch.