It surprised a lot of fans and analysts when the Cleveland Browns drafted a wide receiver in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after taking KC Concepcion late in the first round. It’s rare to see a team double up that high on the board, but nobody is complaining anymore now that Denzel Boston is looking like a star.
Boston is on pace for over 1,100 yards and double-digit touchdowns as a rookie. This wide receiver group was in dire need of some explosiveness heading into this season and he has provided plenty of it at a rate not seen this early in a receiver’s career in nearly three decades.
Browns Director of Football Communications Dan Murphy shared that Boston’s 20.6 yards per reception so far is the second-most by any rookie receiver over the last 30 years behind only the great Randy Moss in 1998.
“Most yards per reception in first 5 career games in the last 30 seasons: 1. Randy Moss 21.0 in 1998 2. Denzel Boston 20.6 in 2026 3. Martavis Bryant 20.1 in 2024 4. Ja’Marr Chase 19.8 in 2021,” Murphy said.
Most yards per reception in first 5 career games in the last 30 seasons:
1. Randy Moss 21.0 in 1998
2. Denzel Boston 20.6 in 2026
3. Martavis Bryant 20.1 in 2024
4. Ja'Marr Chase 19.8 in 2021— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) October 14, 2026
There are some impressive names on that list, including Martavis Bryant, whose career was cut short for non-football reasons. It’s obviously a small sample size, but Boston’s ability to wreak havoc deep down the field with the ball in his hands is real. He also has the skill set to be more than just an explosive deep threat, and as he continues to build chemistry with Deshaun Watson, it would be exciting to see an even more complete route tree from the young wideout.
With Lamar Jackson potentially returning for this week’s matchup against the Browns, this team is going to need a big offensive performance on Sunday to take down its AFC North rival. With Isaiah Bond’s dud last Sunday and KC Concepcion still nursing a concussion, the Browns are going to need Boston to lead the way against Baltimore.
He has seen just under six targets a game, but if there were ever a time for a major coming out party, it’s this Sunday. Hopefully he has a few more receptions over 20+ yards in him on Sunday to help this team start another winning streak.
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