Denzel Boston has cooled down over the past couple of weeks, but that was to be somewhat expected. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver is off to a great start to his rookie season, forcing teams to pay much more attention to him.
That has allowed rookie teammate KC Concepcion and veteran Jerry Jeudy to get opportunities, giving the Browns a more balanced passing attack. So, it shows that Boston can contribute without the big plays that have already become his trademark.
Boston recently earned a major nod among the NFL’s top rookies, with ESPN ranking him at No. 3 overall, but first among offensive players.
“The physical 6-foot-4 receiver is second in air yards per target (16.1), a full yard ahead of Detroit’s Jameson Williams. Boston has become the Browns’ dangerous deep threat, and though he has had a quiet couple of weeks, he is also second in yards per reception (18.6). Cleveland’s offense features multiple playmakers equally. Boston sees 20% of the Browns’ total targets, but fellow rookie KC Concepcion sees 21.8% and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is just behind at 18.9%,” Kalyn Kahler wrote.
ESPN sort of copped out, naming two rookie linebackers as tied for the No. 1 overall spot. Arvell Reese of the New York Giants and Sonny Styles of the Washington Commanders are the only two players listed ahead of Boston, with Baltimore Ravens guard Olaivavega Ioane the next-highest offensive player at No. 5, behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Josiah Trotter at No. 4.
These rankings highlight Boston’s value as a second-round pick, No. 39 overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft. Reese was the No. 5 overall pick in the first round, and Styles was No. 7, so their lofty status is not a real surprise.
If this ranking had come out a couple of weeks ago, Boston may have been on top. He was leading the NFL in yards per catch, but he has just four receptions for 42 yards in his past two games. For the season, he has 20 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
Interestingly, the only other skill-position player in the top 10 is Concepcion, at No. 9 overall. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate and Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love were mentioned as players who just missed.
So, nearing the halfway point of the season, it would seem that Boston would be the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he will have to return to his early-season production to hold on to that lead.
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