You know what they say about assumptions.
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg made a costly one while hosting the network’s coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft, noting that second-rounder Denzel Boston, who went No. 39 overall to the Browns, is the son of former Pro Bowl wideout David Boston.
It would make sense. Denzel and David are both receivers, have a 25-year age gap and played at major Division I universities (Ohio State and Washington, respectively). Both are even regarded for their strength and physicality at the position.
Except, they’re not related. At all.
“You remember his dad, David Boston, first-round pick out of Ohio State in 1999,” Greenberg said on the broadcast before reading off Denzel’s stats and superlatives.
His actual father, whose name is Chris, appeared to be next to him at the draft in Pittsburgh.
And, of course, Twitter let Greeny have it.
“How do you not even check that?” one user wrote.
“I used to love old ESPN draft. But I watch only NFL Network for it now,” wrote another.
When the Browns’ next pick came up, Greenberg was ready to acknowledge the error.
“I was waiting for them to come around again so that I could make an apology to Denzel Boston, who earlier tonight I misidentified as being the son of former NFL receiver David Boston,” he said. “It was a mistake in my research. It’s a terrible one and I apologize to them both. They are not related to each other. And so I apologize to both David and Denzel Boston, and congratulations to Denzel on being drafted in the second round tonight by the Cleveland Browns. That’s my mistake and I apologize for it.”
It wasn’t Greeny’s only gaffe of the week.
On Day 1 of the Draft, he hadn’t realized the Dolphins traded up to No. 27 overall to take Chris Johnson, a cornerback out of San Diego State.
This pick was initially owned by the 49ers, who moved their No. 27 and No. 138 selections to Miami for picks Nos. 30 and 90.
Denzel measured at about 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds during the 2026 NFL Combine.
At Washington, he recorded over 60 receptions and 800 receiving yards in each of his final two seasons at the school, totaling a combined 20 touchdowns between the two years, landing on the All-Big Ten third-team in 2025.
David Boston played in the NFL from 1999 to 2007, enjoying stints with the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receiving with 1,598 yards on 98 catches eight touchdowns, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
He finished his NFL career with 315 receptions, 4,699 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.
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