Why the Bills may consider this physical receiver in first round

By trading away the Buffalo Bills’ second-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the DJ Moore deal, president/GM Brandon Beane has created a tricky situation for himself on the first two days of the NFL Draft.

If he stays put at No. 26 in the first round, there’s a good chance he’ll be taking a player who he doesn’t have a first-round grade on because typically no team has more than, say, 15-20 first-round grades in any draft.

However, because the Bills don’t have another pick until the third round at No. 91, unless Beane executes a trade down and out of the first round to situate himself in the second round where there will likely be better value on any player he picks, he may have no choice but to reach slightly at No. 26, and a player who might be worth doing it for is Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.

Throughout the draft process, Boston has been considered by analysts as a late first- or early second-round prospect which would place him in Buffalo’s wheelhouse if Beane is considering adding another wide receiver to an already crowded room.

Moore, Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer are expected to be the Bills’ top three receivers, armed with contracts that dictate they will be on the team and playing a lot. Keon Coleman remains an enigma who Beane and coach Joe Brady continue to say they still believe in. And Trent Sherfield was signed to fill the role of injured Tyrell Shavers as the No. 5 blocking wideout and core special teamer.

Oct 18, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) makes a reception in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

That’s why it’s difficult to project the Bills taking a receiver in the first round, especially with some glaring areas that need to be addressed on defense. Now, if Beane and Brady have been gaslighting us for two months with their public shows of faith in Coleman and their plan is to try to trade him for whatever they can get - maybe a sixth-round pick - to open his roster spot, a first-round receiver becomes more plausible.

“He’s going to give you the combination of (size and speed),” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said of Boston. “He can win at the line of scrimmage against press and he’s a red zone weapon who can play above the rim. He can adjust in the middle of the field, he’s a point scorer. He reminded me a lot of (Denver Bronco) Courtland Sutton.”

At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston would bring size and physicality to the position for Buffalo, something Coleman brought when Beane took him at the top of the second round in 2024, though that hasn’t manifested itself in production, especially given his draft status.

Coleman was considered a big-time contested catch receiver at Florida State, but according to Pro Football Focus charting, his success rate was 45.8%. In his two years with the Bills, it has plummeted to 36.4%.

In Boston’s two years as a starter at Washington his contested catch success was 61.1% and he did that with a miniscule 3.6% drop rate. Among the receivers projected to be first-round picks in this draft, only Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon - who most believe will be the first three receivers off the board, all before No. 26 - had better drop percentages than Boston.

When he was asked at the NFL scouting combine which NFL receivers he studies, Boston listed three who are big, physical players - Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and Nico Collins - meaning the type of receiver Josh Allen has never had in Buffalo.

“I think the physical and dominant traits that I have will translate directly into the game as I get there,” said Boston, who exuded a bubbly personality during his media session. “Also, having a great contested catch rate and low drop rate. You know, we’re receivers, we catch the ball and that’s what we do. I think that’s something that will translate as well.”

He confirmed that he did meet with the Bills in Indianapolis so there is at least some interest, and the reason is partly because Boston was primarily an outside receiver in college. The Bills have Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid to operate from the slot, but they need boundary targets who can separate, especially if Moore or Palmer were to get hurt.

“Oh, I believe I can be a great separator at the next level,” Boston said. “I have creativity in my bag that I’m just waiting to be able to use. I believe I’ve displayed that as well.”

On the Check the Mic Show hosted by former PFF analysts Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson, they agreed that Boston would be a solid choice for Buffalo, even if No. 26 is a slight reach.

“I actually think when you look at his strengths, he’s a perfect fit,” Monson said. “I know Buffalo fans have PTSD over Keon Coleman. But when you look at (Boston’s) strengths, he will get open deep in a way, on the outside against press coverage, that none of the other Bills receivers do. I think his skill set is a perfect complement for what Buffalo has.”

Palazzolo added, “My initial notes, I said I think he’d be a good fit for (Patrick) Mahomes because of (his ability in the scramble drill to get open). Now, of course, Josh Allen lives in the scramble drill world eight to 10 times a game. And I know Boston has been mocked to the Bills at the end of the first round, and I think he’s fine there. I think he’s solid at a lot of things, I think he’s got a really good feel for the position. Scramble drill adjustments are fantastic. Hands are amazing.”

What analysts are saying about Denzel Boston

▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “Boston builds his speed with smooth, long strides and naturally adjusts with the hand strength of a ball winner which should quickly earn him the trust of an NFL quarterback. With his ability to win inside or outside, his game has shades of 2025 Houston Texans draft pick Jayden Higgins. A good-sized athlete, Boston plays big and balanced with vacuum hands. He treats the catch point like he’s a power forward in the paint, boxing out and using his rangy frame and focus to secure the football.”

▶ Chris Trapasso, DraftGradeBook: “Overall, Boston projects as a specialized but valuable NFL X receiver whose game is built around size, vertical presence, and contested-catch ability. He isn't going to win with suddenness or high-level route nuance, but in the right offense - particularly one that leans on isolation routes, backside digs, and schemed vertical shots - he can be a consistent chain mover and periodic splash-play producer.”

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Why Bills could consider Denzel Boston in first round of NFL draft