Denzel Boston: Browns' rookie WR on QB battle and doing 'something great'

Rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston was part of a 2026 NFL Draft haul that, along with some shrewd moves in free agency, has fans dreaming of what might be possible.

He joined The Insiders to discuss the quarterback competition, his mindset, and how the offense is working hard "to do something great this year."

Cleveland's offensive overhaul

GM Andrew Berry spent two of the team's top three draft picks on wide receivers, adding Boston and KC Concepcion to what was previously a very thin group led by veteran Jerry Jeudy.

Nick Cammett / Stringer

They combine with second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Quinshon Judkins to give the Browns weapons at every level.

Blocking for them will be an offensive line so overhauled that it bears little resemblance to the 2025 unit.

While the group has bags of potential, it's a lot of new faces, all of whom are trying to learn a new offensive scheme under new head coach Todd Monken.

Undeterred by what could be an unsettling situation for some, Boston is excited about what's in store.

"We're in a great spot, working every day, working really hard, just to do something great this year."

He knows it won't be easy, but he can't wait to get going.

"The biggest learning curve is the playbook," he said. "The playbook is very sophisticated; you've got a whole bunch of motions and movements.

"Once you'll be able to get that down, you'll be able to play free, you can go out there and have fun."

Boston making plays but staying hungry

Boston's off to a hot start, using every inch of his 6'4", 212-pound frame to beat double-coverage and catch a deep ball in a play that Monken described as "awesome."

The 22-year-old knows that to keep impressing and realise his enormous potential, he must heed the advice given by his former college teammate, Chicago Bears' wideout Rome Odunze.

"They just said show up and be ready to work. Understand that someone's coming for your job every single day.

"It's a production business, and you've got to make sure you know your alignments and assignments. Without that, you don't really have much success at this next level.

"Another thing was to play your size, don't try to mimic someone that's not like you," he said.

"Basically, I'm a rookie, I've got a lot to work on. Working on my releases, working on snapping down my hips, getting out of my routes faster.

"Always can work on the hands, all the time," he continued. "And again, the playbook, knowing that playbook like the back of my hand."

Browns' QB competition: Boston's view

No matter how quickly Boston learns the nuances of his role, the Browns' offensive ceiling will be determined by how well their quarterback plays.

Veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year players Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are all in the mix to start, with a starter yet to be named.

Nick Cammett / Stringer

Boston credited the whole group for their performances so far, but he's only focused on what he can control.

"I think Dillon, I think Shedeur, and I also think Deshaun Watson have all put on a great show so far in OTAs.

"That decision has nothing to do with me, I just go out there and ball and make plays for them."

His experience of such situations stands him in good stead.

"My whole life, since high school, I haven't really had a stable quarterback. I'm used to having different quarterbacks throwing to me each and every year. It doesn't affect me too much."

Boston's bond with KC Concepcion

Nick Cammett / Stringer

Fellow wide receiver KC Concepcion, the team's first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has quickly become more than just a teammate.

"Our relationship has now gone to a brother kind of thing," Boston said. "We only call each other brother around the facility when we see each other. We're always hanging out outside the facility.

"When you have that friendship, that bond, it brings fun to the field and allows you guys to both go out there and have fun and make plays."

The brotherhood is still forming, but if it translates to the field, the Browns could be onto a winner.

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