OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens hosted Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston for a pre-draft visit Friday, zeroing in on a 6-foot-4, 212-pound red-zone monster who could finally give Lamar Jackson the big target he’s been missing.
Ravens Chase Size and Reliability to Unlock Lamar’s Offense
Boston rolled into the Ravens’ facility fresh off a stop with the Panthers the day before. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped the news on X, confirming the visit as part of Boston’s busy tour that already included the Raiders, Steelers, Browns and Dolphins.
The Ravens have talked openly about upgrading their pass-catching group. Last season their wide receivers finished 25th in the league with just 1,946 receiving yards. Boston’s college tape screams solution: 62 catches for **881 yards** and **11 touchdowns** in 2025, plus 63 receptions for **834 yards** and nine scores in 2024. That’s 20 touchdowns over two seasons while dropping the ball just twice on 189 targets.
You could almost feel the scouts’ excitement flipping through the film. Boston doesn’t just win jump balls — he bullies cornerbacks in the end zone and runs clean routes from the slot. ESPN’s Mel Kiper raved about exactly that in a recent mock, noting how the big slot role fit him perfectly and how low his drop rate stayed even with heavy volume.
At the No. 14 overall pick, Baltimore sits in prime position. If Boston lasts that long — some mocks had him going to Buffalo at 25 earlier in the process — the Ravens won’t hesitate unless someone jumps the line. Pairing his frame with Jackson’s cannon arm and Zay Flowers’ shiftiness would turn the offense into a weekly nightmare for defenses.
“I think it’s a pretty strong year in the draft for receivers. There are some players that we would anticipate potentially being there in the first round at 14 or if we trade back in the first round.” — Eric DeCosta, Ravens General Manager
What It Means for the 2026 Season and Beyond
The Ravens already added edge pressure by signing Trey Hendrickson in free agency, but wide receiver remains the clear offensive hole. Boston wouldn’t just add depth — he’d stretch the field vertically and give Jackson a reliable safety blanket on third downs and in the red zone.
Picture it: Jackson rolling out, Boston boxing out a safety at the pylon. The offense that already features Jackson’s legs suddenly gains a true mismatch nightmare. Even if the Ravens wait until Round 2 or trade back, this visit shows they refuse to ignore the position any longer. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh, and every top-30 visit like this one shapes the war room conversation. Baltimore fans have waited long enough for another legitimate downfield threat — this could be the first real step.
