Huskies’ Denzel Boston and Tacario Davis Headed for Ohio

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Washington Huskies receiver Denzel Boston was selected by the Cleveland Brown in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday. Credit: Washington Athletics [/caption]

Denzel Boston is used to fighting for opportunities in a crowded wide receiver room.

The leading receiver the past two seasons for the Washington Huskies will attempt to do the same after the Cleveland Brown selected the 6-4 junior with the seventh pick in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland also chose Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion No. 24 overall in the first round.

“I think that we’re going to bring a good mix of explosiveness and having explosive plays after explosive plays,” said Boston on a call with Cleveland area media. “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.”

It’s nothing new for Boston, who began his UW career playing with a talented group that helped the Huskies reach the CFP National Championship game in 2023.

Boston caught five passes for 51 yards that season before starring the next two years at Washington. The group of pass catchers who hauled in passes from Michael Penix Jr. that season includes:

• Rome Odunze, 2024 Round 1, Pick 9 (92 catches / 1,640 yards)
• Ja’Lynn Polk, 2024 Round 2, Pick 37 (69 / 1,150)
• Jalen McMillan, 2024, Round 3, Pick 92 (45 / 559)
• Germie Bernard, 2026, Round 2, Pick 47 (34 / 419)
• Devin Culp (TE) 2024, Round 7, pick 246 (16 / 208)
• Jack Westover (TE) 2024, undrafted (45 / 433)

There seems to be plenty of opportunity to make a mark as a receiver for the Browns, who ranked 31st out of 32 NFL teams last season with 185 passing yards per game. Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson will fight for the starting quarterback position.

Boston and Concepcion also appear to bring different skillsets to the Browns. Concepcion, who possesses short-area quickness and stands just under 6 feet, will most likely spend the majority of his time in the slot. Boston, at 6-4, 212 pounds, brings the natural skills of an outside “X” receiver.

“I can take off the top when it comes to the 50/50 catches and everything, but, you know, he could do that too,” Boston said. “We’re both great red zone threats. I think with our duo together, his quickness and my size and everything, I think we’re going to be able to do great things.”

Boston, thought by many to possibly go in the first round, did not hear his name called when the opening round concluded on Thursday night. Heading into Day 2, topping the list of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s “best available” list, Cleveland grabbed Boston seven picks into the second round — 15 picks after the selection of Concepcion.

Being patient another day wasn’t easy, but Boston said his parents and his brother helped him get through the wait. (His father is Chris Boston, not former NFL receiver David Boston as ESPN’s Mike Greenberg mistakenly said during the draft broadcast.) Still, he became highest draft pick during the Jedd Fisch era at Washington.

“When I didn’t end up getting picked in the first round, they were there rallying behind me, saying, ‘Hey, we’re gonna be here tomorrow, and we’ll wait until that name does get called.’” Boston said. “It was definitely frustrating, but it just gave me a chip on my shoulder to make sure that I got to go do what I got to do.”

Tacario Davis Selected by Bengals in 3rd Round

Washington 6-4 cornerback Tacario Davis became the second and final Day 2 UW draft pick when the Cincinnati Bengals nabbed him in the third round with the 72nd overall selection.

It’s nothing new for a UW defensive back to go on the second day of the draft. Davis joins former Huskies Kyler Gordon (Round 2, 2022), Elijah Molden (2, 2022), Byron Murphy (2, 2019), Taylor Rapp (2 / 2019), Budda Baker (2 / 2017), Sidney Jones (2, 2017) and Kevin King (2 / 2017).

Speaking to Cincinnati-area media, Davis talked about the feeling of getting drafted while watching the draft with his family.

"My whole family was [watching],” Davis said. “It was nice to get the call. It was a blessing, an unreal moment. I've been praying about this. I've been dreaming about this since I was a kid. Just watching my dream become a reality."

Davis was not shy about how he can contribute right away to a Bengals defense that struggled in 2025.

"I bring everything to the table,” said Davis when asked what he brings to the table. “You don't find many 6-3, 6-4 corners who can run like I can. Not just out there covering but being able to play the run. Whatever you want me to do."

Potential UW Day 3 Picks (Rounds 4-7)

Asked Friday how many 6-4 corners he knows, Davis had a pretty quick answer: "Me, besides my teammate, Ephesians (fellow Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock)."

Prysock is among at least five players who hope to hear their names announced as draft picks Saturday. If not picked by the end of the seventh and final round, it’s likely several Huskies will be added by teams as undrafted free agents.

• Jonah Coleman, running back, could go as early as the fourth round.
• Prysock, likely in the fourth or fifth round.
• Carver Willis, an offensive tackle who might play guard or center in the NFL, potentially in the sixth.
• Edge Zach Durfee and Anterio Thompson were not invited to the NFL Combine, but both impressed NFL scouts at UW’s Pro Day. It is possible that one or both could be selected late in the draft.