It wasn’t the major news Cleveland Browns fans may have been expecting heading into practice on Monday, but it is noteworthy just the same. It’s not the much-anticipated quarterback decision, but one of the team’s heralded rookie wide receivers has been named a starter.
That honor has seemed inevitable for Denzel Boston from the time he arrived, but it is very encouraging to see that he has already been given that distinction before even playing a preseason game. Now, he has to live up to that status and potentially become the Browns’ No. 1 wideout.
Insider Fred Greetham posted the news, along with video of Boston after getting his big promotion.
“Denzel Boston with ones after being named starter,” Fred Greetham posted.
#Browns Denzel Boston with ones after being named starter pic.twitter.com/ySnbnp9drf
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 10, 2026
Boston wasn’t the only member of the team’s heralded class from the 2026 NFL Draft to earn a top spot on the depth chart. Head coach Todd Monken simultaneously announced that Spencer Fano would be the starter at left tackle.
That assignment was expected for Fano, who was the No. 9 overall pick in the draft. Boston, on the other hand, fell into the second round, where the Browns selected him at No. 39 overall.
Boston has said that it would provide motivation for him this season, and he has put it to good use. He has outperformed first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion, who was the No. 24 overall selection, and is now in line to threaten veteran Jerry Jeudy as the top wide receiver target in Cleveland’s revamped offense.
Concepcion’s status as a potential starter may just be a matter of what formation the Browns decide to use. In the two-tight-end sets that Monken seems to favor, it is possible he would not be on the field along with Jeudy and Boston. Otherwise, Concepcion seems to be an important part of the passing game in three-wide formations.
As for Boston, he can now build on the route-running and sure-handed skills he has demonstrated throughout his time with the Browns without having to worry about where he stands in the pecking order.
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