The 2025 campaign has been brutal for the Cleveland Browns. Sitting at 3-10 entering Week 15, the team finds itself buried at the bottom of the AFC North with the league’s worst-ranked offense. However, hope remains for the future thanks to a stockpile of draft capital.
With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, a recent projection has Cleveland targeting a dynamic playmaker to spark its stagnant attack.
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Which Washington Star Is Linked to the Cleveland Browns in Round 1?
The roster has a glaring hole at wide receiver that needs immediate attention. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. currently leads the squad in catches and yards, while also sitting tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.
No wideout has even cracked the 500-yard mark this year, with Jerry Jeudy managing just 38 catches for 497 yards despite serving as the top option.
PFSN’s own Ayden Stroupe recently published a three-round mock draft that addresses this issue directly. The projection has the Browns selecting Washington receiver Denzel Boston with the No. 27 pick.
Regarding the Boston pick, Stroupe offered the following:
“Cleveland adds size and explosiveness to its receiving corps with Denzel Boston. His ability to win vertically and high-point the football brings a new element to the Browns’ offense. Boston has shown steady growth as a route runner, making him more than just a serious threat. He provides a much-needed downfield target. Cleveland gets a high-upside weapon for its passing game.”
What Impact Would Denzel Boston Have on the Roster?
Boston would inject necessary size and big-play ability into the receiver room. The Washington standout has played 11 games in 2025, racking up 56 catches for 755 yards and 10 touchdowns. His production extends beyond this season, as he has compiled 126 career catches for 1,655 yards and 19 scores during his four years with the Huskies.
Football talent runs in the family, as Boston is the son of former NFL receiver David Boston, a first-team All-Pro with the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. In Cleveland, the younger Boston could immediately step in as a starter opposite Jeudy. Regardless of who is under center in 2026, adding a weapon of this caliber could transform the aerial attack.
Whether the pick ends up being Boston or another prospect, the front office must find help for the scoring unit. PFSN’s Offense Impact ranking gives Cleveland a dismal 54.1 grade in 2025, placing them dead last in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has shown improvement, yet questions remain about whether he will retain the starting job in 2026.
While solving the quarterback puzzle is the franchise’s top priority, no signal-caller can succeed without reliable targets. The front office will have plenty of time to evaluate the roster as the team concludes the season against the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals.
