Former Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston trying to make a play during a college football game.
The New York Jets have a fallback plan just in case things don’t work out in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said to “keep an eye on” Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston at pick No. 16 overall if the top three receivers in the draft are gone.
The top three graded wideouts in April’s draft include Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Boston to Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness,” Zierlein explained.
“Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value,” Zierlein added.
League consensus says taking Boston with the 16th overall pick in the first round would be a reach.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Boston ranked 25th on his big board. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network has Boston listed at No. 20 on his big board.
The Jets are between a rock and a hard place. Do you just take Boston at pick No. 16 overall? Do you try to trade back so you can take him at a more appropriate spot? He is unlikely to still be on the board when you pick next at No. 33 in the second round.
This reminds me of what happens in households across America in the fall when we’re doing fantasy football drafts.
Let me set the scene. You have the sixth overall pick in your favorite fantasy football league, and it’s a snake format. You absolutely love a player who is ranked 12th overall on the big board.
If you take him at sixth overall, you will be immediately ridiculed by your friends and family for overdrafting him. However, if you wait to take him at your next pick, you know he won’t be on the board.
So what do you do? It’s fantasy football, take the player you want to take, and who cares what anyone else thinks?
In a recent mock draft for NBC Sports, analyst Connor Rogers gave the Jets Boston with the 16th overall pick.
He explained on the “Badlands” podcast that taking him at that spot was “a little earlier than I have him” on the big board.
“Boston is a good fit for the Jets, even if you think 16 is a little early. He is a nice fit for the Jets,” Rogers said on the podcast.
The Jets have a star No. 1 wide receiver in Garrett Wilson. He needs help.
One way the Jets can complement him is by adding different types of guys in the room. It’s like building a starting lineup for a basketball team. You want a small shifty guy and you want a bigger guy who can box people out and come down with the ball in 50-50 situations.
Boston has entered the chat.
He is listed at 6-foot-4 and weighs 210 pounds. This could be the Robin to Wilson’s Batman in the wide receiver room for the next decade. Pick 16 might be a bit rich, but what’s most important is adding good football players, and that’s what Boston is.
