The Pittsburgh Steelers got to know plenty of receiver prospects at last week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis . CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson believes Mike McCarthy's team was fond enough of one to spend a first-round pick on him.
In Wilson's latest 2026 NFL Draft mock-up, he had the Steelers taking Washington's Denzel Boston with the No. 21 overall choice.
"I gave some thought to taking Olaivavega Ioane here, but the guard class is deeper than the WR class when talking about starter-capable talent," Wilson wrote Monday. "Boston is a long-striding, contested-catch machine who has also flashed punt-return ability, and he would be a natural No. 2 on a Steelers team that desperately needs receiving options."
Denzel Boston — Washington Athletics
CBS Sports tabs Boston, who's 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, as the No. 34 overall prospect in the class. Last season, he topped the Huskies' leaderboards in receptions (62), receiving yards (881) and touchdown catches (11). NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Boston to Los Angeles Rams star wideout Puka Nacua in his scouting report.
"Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations," Zierlein wrote . "Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. … He's very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone."
Ohio State's Carnell Tate (No. 3, Buffalo) and USC's Makai Lemon (No. 16, New York Jets ) were the only wideouts to be taken ahead of Boston. Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson (No. 24, Cleveland ) and Indiana's Omar Cooper (No. 27, San Francisco ) were the other first-rounders in the projection.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Net Puka Nacua Clone in Recent 2026 NFL Draft Mock-Up
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