BEREA, Ohio — The Browns took Washington receiver Denzel Boston with the 39th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another piece to a rebuilt passing-game room that already includes first-round pick KC Concepcion. Boston enters a group that also has Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, giving Cleveland a deeper set of options after a spring spent reshaping the position.
Boston, who spent four seasons at Washington, played in 43 career games and finished with 132 receptions, 1,781 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 4.4 yards after catch per reception in 2025, according to PFF, a number that helps explain why Cleveland viewed him as more than a developmental add. The Browns are betting on production that can travel from college to the pros, and Boston’s résumé gave them enough confidence to make him the No. 39 pick.
Browns assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Glenn Cook said the team saw a player other clubs likely valued highly. “We think a lot about Denzel's talent and his ability,” Cook said. “I think a lot of teams probably had him with the first-round grade or really high up.”
Boston said he and Concepcion can bring a dynamic element to the offense. “We're going to bring a good mix of explosiveness and having explosive plays after explosive plays,” he said. “Both of us have generated tons of touchdowns throughout our college careers. So, I think those are the two things for sure you can look forward to.”
The selection fits a broader push by Cleveland to create real competition in the receiver room. Cook said the Browns do not want the depth chart settled by reputation alone. “We want to add competition, so if you want to be one of the best offenses, a top tier offense in the NFL, we want the cream to rise to the top,” he said. “We definitely believe we have talent in the room. Jerry Jeudy is still a talented NFL player, but we're also going to not be complacent and push ourselves to keep making sure that we have what we need to be the type of offense we want to.”
That competition already includes younger players Isaiah Bond, Luke Floriea and Gage Larvadain, along with Tylan Wallace, whom the Browns signed in free agency. Cleveland also tendered Jamari Thrash in March and signed Isaiah Wooden to a reserve/futures contract in January. Boston now lands in a room that has been continuously stacked with bodies, which means the draft pick is only the start of the test.
The Browns did not simply add one receiver and call the job finished. They drafted Boston after already bringing in Concepcion, then layered in veteran and developmental depth around Jeudy and Tillman. That leaves the next phase clear: training camp will decide whether the overhaul becomes a real offensive upgrade or just a crowded depth chart with a few promising names.
