Denzel Boston did it again on Thursday night, as the rookie wide receiver had his third game with a long catch for the Cleveland Browns. This time, it was a 60-yard grab against the Pittsburgh Steelers that led to a second-quarter touchdown in the Browns’ 27-24 victory.
It was the latest outstanding performance by the second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, who has emerged as a strong contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Against the Steelers, he finished with four catches for 89 yards.
With one game remaining in Week 4, Boston is leading NFL rookies with elite stats, ranking first or second in every major receiving category.
“Denzel Boston among rookie WRs so far this season: 284 receiving yards (1st), 2 TDs (1st), 21.8 yards per catch (2nd), 10 first downs (2nd). Most receiving yards by a Browns rookie through first four games in last 30 seasons,” Underdog NFL posted.
Denzel Boston among rookie WRs so far this season:
284 receiving yards (1st)
2 TDs (1st)
21.8 yards per catch (2nd)
10 first downs (2nd)Most receiving yards by a Browns rookie through first four games in last 30 seasons. pic.twitter.com/79PObGOp4q
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 5, 2026
Boston fell just short of the 300 yards posted by Cleveland rookie wide receiver Derrick Alexander in his first four games in 1994. Alexander did not play in Week 1 that year after a training camp contract holdout.
This year, Boston debuted with four catches for 59 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown, in a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 2, he had seven receptions for 95 yards, scoring a game-tying 55-yard touchdown in a 23-19 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In Week 3, his longest catch was 28 yards, part of his four receptions for 41 yards in a 21-18 win against the Carolina Panthers. His catch against the Steelers is the Browns’ longest play this season and the ninth-longest catch in the NFL so far.
His impressive start has him ranked among the league leaders, rookies or veterans. His receiving yards are 10th, his yards per target (12.9) is seventh, and his average per catch is second overall and actually first among rookies.
Boston’s role may actually increase over the coming weeks as the Browns reportedly may be willing to trade veteran wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. With the development of fellow rookie KC Concepcion alongside Boston, Jeudy has been surpassed in the passing game with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
Boston will look to continue his impressive first season when Cleveland visits the New York Jets in Week 5.
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