With Lamar Jackson under center, the Baltimore Ravens have emerged as one of the most dominant teams in the regular season. The franchise has heavily invested in maximizing Jackson’s passing ability, selecting several receivers in the first round, but postseason success has still eluded Baltimore.
The 2024-25 season was arguably Jackson’s best year as a passer, but only one of the team’s receivers tallied over 1,000 yards. One analyst believes the Ravens need to upgrade the receiver room again in the 2026 NFL Draft to boost Jackson’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
Why Does Baltimore Need Another First-Round Receiver?
No team has added more wide receiver talent in the first round since Jackson’s arrival in Baltimore. Names like Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers have all become major contributors to the team, and while it led to the two-time MVP having his best year as a passer in 2024-25, none have emerged as a clear WR1.
The Ravens signed five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, but he is declining. PFSN’s Bentley Weissman predicts postseason success will still elude the franchise and suggested Washington’s Denzel Boston as the solution to Baltimore’s struggles, predicting that the franchise would select him 28th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Washington has produced quite a few talented receivers in recent years, and Denzel Boston is the next in line,” Weissman wrote. “He is a savvy receiver who runs excellent routes from both the inside and outside. Boston has very good size and is an above-average athlete overall. His ball skills and body control are both outstanding.
“Baltimore has steadily improved their receiving core throughout Lamar Jackson’s career, but could still use some more firepower. Boston projects as a perfect complement to Zay Flowers and would provide Jackson with yet another reliable target.”
What Makes Denzel Boston the Perfect Fit for Baltimore?
The Ravens aren’t exactly desperate for upgrading their receiver room, given their run-heavy attack, but when one looks at Flowers, Bateman, and Hopkins, there is a clear need for size. Flowers is one of the smallest receivers in the league, while a 6’4″ Boston is still a few inches taller than Hopkins and Bateman.
Denzel Boston Highlights.
Projected 1st Round pick for 2026.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) July 14, 2025
Despite his size, Boston is still highly productive. He posted 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 13.2 yards per catch in 2024-25, numbers that placed him among the top receivers in the Pac-12 and solidified his first-round potential.
With Hopkins just on a one-year deal, the Ravens will be looking for a receiver in 2026. If Boston can take his production to 1,000 receiving yards, he may well be catching passes from Jackson in 2026-27 and beyond.
