Underappreciated WR prospect would offer Rams obvious bonus in draft

After signing a two-year, $44 million deal last offseason, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams instantly became a beloved fixture on the Los Angeles Rams offense. He developed a connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford as though they had played together for years, emerging immediately as a go-to red zone target. Despite missing three games, Adams led the league with 14 touchdowns.

He is, however, 33 years old, with 12 seasons under his belt. He has said he will play as long as Stafford does, but neither will be around forever. Some wonder whether No. 9 will retire after this year. Adams' contract will be up as well. He could follow Stafford out the door, leaving the Rams with no QB and, in the receiver room, a hole to fill in the most important area of the field. 

Selecting Washington Huskies receiver Denzel Boston in the 2026 NFL draft is one way they could take their future red zone needs by the Horns, so to speak, on top of getting an immediate contributor at WR3. While he may not be the first choice - his name isn't Makai Lemon and the Rams would be trading back to take him - it's impossible to overlook his viability as Adams' heir apparent. 

Drafting Boston would give Rams another massive athlete in the red zone

At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, he has no excuse not to pulverize defensive backs at every opportunity. Using that size and strength to dominate in close quarters, the Huskies alum sounds every bit like a baby Davante Adams.

"(Wide receiver Denzel) Boston caught seven of his 11 touchdowns last season on red zone throws. He can create separation on quick slants, but it's the one-on-one fade routes that highlight his strengths. He can climb the ladder to high-point or adjust to make some clutch grabs," notes ESPN draft analyst Matt Bowen.

Stafford and Adams swiftly perfected the pylon fade, a play the former Lions slinger also loved to run with Calvin Johnson in Detroit; Boston is another big-bodied target who can gobble up 50-50 balls and outmuscle DBs on tight-window throws. In the draft, he is expected to go in the late first round or the early second, giving the Rams flexibility to maneuver back if Lemon is off the board at No. 13. 

But he wouldn't just be another weapon for Stafford this season. Boston could also be a boon for Stafford's successor, using his strong hands and pure physicality to bail out his QB when the pressure gets home and it's time to chuck it. Here, go fetch. Having Boston as a viable target on the boundary could turn throwaways into first-down conversions. 

He isn't just a red zone threat, either. Boston led the Huskies with 881 receiving yards last season, averaging 80 yards per game. He will be better as a rookie than any WR3 candidate on the Horns' roster. Given their other options, that's not a bold claim. 

The Rams wouldn't ask him to take over for Adams right away - of course not. Boston would have a year to apprentice under a future Hall of Famer. He might learn a thing or two from Puka Nacua, the definition of a physical receiver who can not only make the catch in traffic but also shed defenders like water, all the way to the goal line. 

"But he's too similar," some might say. That sounds like more of a good thing. Maybe it makes Boston less likely to flame out than a speed specialist like Tutu Atwell. 

He offers a lot to like if the Rams find themselves in a position to trade back. On top of a solid rookie floor and overall potential, his promise as the Rams' red zone magnet of the future would be an attractive bonus. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow