BEREA — Denzel Boston is off to a special start. Through two games he’s joined a pair of exclusive clubs that include Hall of Famers.
He became the fourth player in NFL history, and first in 50 years, with a 45-plus-yard receiving touchdown in each of their first two career games. Hall of Famer Bob Hayes (1965), Mac Haik (1968) and Sammy White (1976) are the others.
Boston is the third Browns player to have a receiving touchdown in their first two games, joining Andre’ Davis (2002) and Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell (1958).
Staying true to his personality, Boston has taken everything in stride.
“Did I expect it? No. Is it a surprise to me? Also, no,” he said Wednesday as the Browns began preparations for the home opener Sunday vs. the Panthers. “And I think that’s just a testament of how I work and I’m a very hard worker each and every day. I always want to be the hardest-working person on the field. So for it to happen, I give that glory to God.”
His confidence and his ability have been on display since he arrived for rookie minicamp in May after being drafted No. 39 out of the University of Washington, where he was third-team All-Big Ten with 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. He immediately began turning heads — and hasn’t stopped.
“Very impressive. He’s been playing very well,” Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward said. “Ever since he got here on the Browns, he’s been playing well since he stepped foot on the field, and a guy that we’re going to need.
“Look at him as a No. 1 receiver and he’s been doing that. Making plays, doing his job as a rookie, but not playing like a rookie. So definitely glad to have him on the team, and we’re going to need him next week and every week after.”
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Boston’s first touchdown came Week 1 in garbage time of a 34-10 loss to the Jaguars. He beat starting cornerback Montaric Brown on a post and caught a 46-yarder from Deshaun Watson. He caught one more pass in the opener for 13 yards.
Week 2 featured more chances and one missed opportunity in the 23-19 win over Tampa Bay.
He caught five for 95 yards, including a highlight-reel 55-yard touchdown. He ran a short in-breaking route, caught the pass, spun out of a tackle and away from three defenders before outrunning cornerback Zyon McCollum to the end zone.
Browns WR Denzel Boston on his spin-move TD pic.twitter.com/1JCGyGvLNh
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) September 23, 2026
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“After watching it, I kind of just thought back to all the times where I’m working with my athletic trainers, just working on my mobility, my balance work and stuff like that,” Boston said. “And I believe that’s what spun me to be able to make that play.
“I feel like that’s going to require balance and also just IQ and just having an understanding of you want to get in the end zone and it kind of just draws into practice of how you finish each and every play every day.”
The football intelligence was also on display before the play. Coach Todd Monken had given Watson two plays, and Watson made an alert to the second.
“We have smart guys. Even though those guys being rookies, those guys pay attention, they prepare, they stay locked in,” Watson said. “We communicate throughout the week and what I see with different looks. He was ready for that moment.”
“It gets developed just, one, by understanding your assignment, understanding the play and also having just great awareness from the quarterback standpoint and then awareness from the receiver standpoint to make sure you got your eyes on the quarterback to get the alert,” Boston said. “And that works for even plays that don’t have alerts. If the quarterback likes his matchup and wants to give you certain different routes, he might signal that out there. So I think it just comes from great awareness.”
He was disappointed he couldn’t finish another touchdown catch, one that was more his style — a red zone fade. Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison knocked the ball loose after Boston had it, and Boston failed to get a second foot inbounds.
“Definitely was a little frustrated with that one because that’s a play I make nine out of 10 times,” he said. “But after watching film and stuff, I realized I left a little bit too much room for the DB to get his hand in there and be able to fight with me and tussle with me for the ball. So just watching film, getting better, go out to practice and go execute that next time that the play arrives.
“Got to come down with those. I have a very high expectation of myself.”
The coaches moved Boston to X receiver in place of Jerry Jeudy after a great start to training camp. After his start, he knows opponents may design their coverages in an attempt to limit his impact.
“Whatever’s thrown at me, I just know I’m ready for it. I’m built for it,” Boston said. “That’s not up to me what they decide to do. My job is to go out there and just produce with the opportunities that I’ll be given.”
After two road games to open the season, he’s looking forward to playing at home. His parents are coming in from Seattle and his grandpa from South Carolina.
“Super excited,” he said. “That’s going to be cool to be able to house them and then also be able to have our own crowd. It’s going to be fun to get to play in front of our fans.”
