The Panthers have used their last two first-round picks on the wide receiver position. While it seems unlikely that they’d go that route again, the team is at least keeping an open mind as the draft quickly approaches. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Panthers hosted Washington WR Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit today.
Boston played behind the likes of Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk during his first two years with the Huskies, but he finally had a chance to lead the depth chart in 2024. He had a breakout campaign that year, finishing with 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. He didn’t take a significant leap during his senior season, but he still finished with a notable 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 scores.
Those performances were enough to put him on the NFL map. He’s definitively behind the likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr., Jordyn Tyson, and KC Concepcion on most pundits’ draft boards, although there are some teams that reportedly have him ranked in the top two at his position.
There’s a chance he hears his name called on the first night of the draft, especially since he’s drawn interest from the Dolphins, Commanders, Steelers, 49ers, and Browns. Boston has generally been mocked towards the end of the first round or early in the second round, so it would be a slight reach if the Panthers selected him with the No. 19 pick.
The Panthers have focused on surrounding 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young with as much talent as possible in recent drafts. While 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, the team did get a standout performance from 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after finishing with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that McMillan played two collegiate seasons at Arizona under Jedd Fisch…who most recently spent two seasons coaching Boston at Washington (per Yates). The Panthers may decide to take one more crack at that pipeline, especially if they’ve determined that Legette isn’t destined to be a top-end WR. Even if the team is still high on Legette, Boston could easily slide into a depth chart that otherwise features Jalen Coker, David Moore, and John Metchie.
The New England Patriots should be hosting BOSTON !!