Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston is generally considered a top-40 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He doesn’t have enough speed, and Boston’s refusal to officially clock the 40-yard dash further complicates that prediction.
Boston has chosen not to participate in the majority of the athletic testing portion of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He worked out during on-court drills in Indianapolis, where he also had a 35-inch vertical jump and ran an impressive 4.20 seconds in the shuttle. That was the third-best mark among all Union receivers. That’s even more impressive given Boston’s 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame.
Not speeding?
Boston’s biggest issue is his speed, or lack thereof. His scouting reports are filled with euphemisms, earning him common labels like “faster than quick” or “unable to challenge defenses vertically.”
advertise
The hope is that Boston can take advantage of Washington’s pro day with a 40-yard dash and a more official look at his actual speed. However, Boston also reportedly chose not to participate in Monday’s pro day based on the advice of his agent.
While Boston doesn’t win with speed as a wide receiver, it’s still an important piece of the puzzle. NFL defensive backs are typically bigger, faster, and stronger than their college counterparts, and Boston matched its college opponents during two productive seasons in Washington. What works for him in the Big Ten won’t be that easy, especially if the cornerbacks and defensive coordinators know Boston can’t beat them.
By not running, Boston may have unknowingly confirmed concerns about his speed.
Comparisons give mixed results
Several similar receivers have had mixed results in the NFL recently, which doesn’t help Boston’s situation. The most common comparison, especially from people coming from Boston, is Bills wide receiver Coleman. Coleman, the No. 1 pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft (33rd overall), has nearly the same size as Boston and posted a 4.61 40-yard dash (for a WR).
advertise
Coleman had limited success in his first two seasons with the Bills, catching 67 passes and scoring eight touchdowns. Those numbers were decent, but not commensurate with pre-draft expectations. His inability to beat top players makes it much more difficult for Coleman to get open in the NFL. The fear spread to Boston as well.
Kenny Golladay Experience
Another comparison for Boston is Kenny Golladay. Golladay was the Lions’ third-round pick in 2017 from Northern Illinois and is 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds. While Golladay posted 4.5 points in 40 games at the combine in 2017, he’s better known for his ability to make contested catches and get back to the quarterback from the sideline than he is for his speed.
advertise
Golladay’s NFL experience shows that being a big-bodied receiver who can’t win with speed can bring about a series of positive and negative consequences. Golladay was at the top of his two-season run in Detroit in 2018-19, with fearless Matthew Stafford throwing tight balls at him, helping him earn a Pro Bowl berth and lead the NFL in touchdown catches in 2019. That allowed him to sign a massive free agent contract with the New York Giants in 2021 after missing the 2020 season due to injury in Detroit.
Golladay’s performance in New York was hugely disappointing. Unable to reliably get open as defenses ignored him and shrunk coverage, Golladay shot below 45 percent in two seasons and scored just one touchdown. He has not played in a game since the 2022 season. Not having a high-end and fearless quarterback like Stafford effectively ended Golladay’s tenure. The same can be said for Coleman, who benefited greatly from Josh Allen in Buffalo.
prospect
Boston has some very real, impressive receiving skills that should translate well to the NFL. However, his lack of speed — and seeming unwillingness to allay those concerns — will certainly limit Boston’s draft ceiling. As Golladay and Coleman have proven, big wide receivers who can’t win vertically still have value. But that won’t appeal to every team, which could push Boston’s draft range down from the 20s to the 30s or even into the 40s overall by April.
advertise
— Enjoy free coverage of top news and trending stories from The Big Lead —
March Madness: Predicting March Madness upsets in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
NFL Draft: New Mel Kiper NFL mock draft shows big impact of free agency
Major League Baseball: Dodgers announce spring training pitching debut for Shohei Ohtani
National Hockey League: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for regular season with lower body injury
entertainment: Is ‘The Bachelorette’ Still On the Air Amid Tyler Frankie Paul’s Domestic War Allegations?
Viral: Livvy Dunne Shares ‘Baywatch’ Training and Photoshoot with BTS Swimwear
