In a surprising turn of events at the NFL Draft's opening round, Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston found himself unselected, defying numerous mock draft predictions that placed him firmly within the first 32 picks. This development has set the stage for an intriguing second day, where Boston is now one of the highest-rated prospects still available, fueling anticipation about his eventual destination.
Leading up to the draft, Boston was frequently linked to prominent teams. Daniel Jeremiah's NFL Network mock draft projected him to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 27, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic saw him heading to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 29. Even the Buffalo Bills, another team with a keen interest in Boston, made multiple trades, further complicating the first-round landscape. However, the 49ers and Chiefs each made strategic moves that ultimately bypassed Boston, leaving him to await Friday's selections.
The wide receiver position saw some early, unexpected picks. Carnell Tate from Ohio State was drafted fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans, and Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State went to the New Orleans Saints at No. 8. Despite these early selections, a predicted rush on receivers didn't fully materialize until later in the round. The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to pick Makai Lemon from USC at No. 20. Other receivers, such as KC Concepcion from Texas A&M and Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana, rounded out the first-round receiver picks, leaving Boston as a notable omission.
Currently, Denzel Boston is ranked as the third-best player still on the consensus board. Ahead of him are cornerbacks Jermod McCoy of Tennessee and Avieon Terrell of Clemson, both of whom carry injury concerns. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, while Terrell's pre-draft testing was hampered by a hamstring injury. These factors could potentially elevate Boston's draft stock even further as teams weigh talent against health risks.
Further surprises included the Seattle Seahawks' decision to draft running back Jadarian Price from Notre Dame with the 32nd overall pick. This move likely dashed hopes among local fans that Washington's own running back, Jonah Coleman, would join the Seahawks. As the draft moves into its second day, all eyes will be on teams like the San Francisco 49ers (pick 33), Buffalo Bills (pick 35), Las Vegas Raiders (pick 36), New York Giants (pick 37), and Kansas City Chiefs (pick 40), all of whom hold early second-round selections and could be potential landing spots for Boston.
The first round of the NFL Draft unfolded with several unexpected turns, leaving highly-touted Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston unchosen despite widespread predictions. His non-selection highlights the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the draft, as teams prioritize various needs and strategies. With numerous strong teams holding early second-round picks, Boston's professional football journey is expected to begin swiftly on Friday, making him a central figure in the next phase of the draft.