The New York Jets could surprisingly reach for this player in the NFL Draft.
Everyone is operating under the assumption that the New York Jets will select either Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall pick of the NFL Draft, and deservedly do. They need an edge rusher, and Bailey and Reese are widely viewed as the two best ones in this year's class.
But what about the Jets' second first-round pick at No. 16?
There are a variety of directions in which New York can proceed with the selection, especially considering how many needs it has up and down the roster.
The general consensus, however, seems to be that the Jets will end up going with a wide receiver, but who will they take?
Carnell Tate will almost surely be off the board in the top 10, and Jordyn Tyson's stock has risen to the point where it seems incredibly unlikely he'll be available. Makai Lemon is intriguing, but he will probably be a slot receiver on the NFL level.
So who does that leave?
Can the Jets potentially select Denzel Boston?
Denzel Boston. Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.Nick Faria of Jets X-Factor is not entirely ruling it out, citing a scout who dismissed Boston's speed concerns.
“I don’t think speed concerns are valid,” the scout said. “Anyway, you don’t have to be fast when you are as good as he is when guarded.”
Boston is viewed by most as either a late first or early second-round pick, so if New York decided to take him at No. 16, many would view it as a reach.
But Faris doesn't necessarily see it that way.
"It’s a foregone conclusion that the Jets will target a receiver early in the 2026 draft. They might even double-dip at the position as well. While some may think that New York has to trade up to address the need, staying put and selecting Boston at No. 16 might not be the reach that some believe," Faria wrote.
I happen to agree with Faria there, as I actually think Boston has the potential to become the best wide receiver in this year's draft class.
The 6-foot-4 weapon hauled in 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns at Washington in 2025, averaging a healthy 14.2 yards per catch.
Considering that the Jets are in serious need of an X-receiver alongside of Garrett Wilson, Boston would make perfect sense.
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