Boston, MA
Why the Bills may consider this physical receiver in first round
Washington WR Denzel Boston physical ability is a standout quality
A potential first-round pick for the Bills at No. 26 is physical WR Denzel Boston of Washington, who considers himself a great separator.
By trading away the Buffalo Bills’ second-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the DJ Moore deal, president/GM Brandon Beane has created a tricky situation for himself on the first two days of the NFL Draft.
If he stays put at No. 26 in the first round, there’s a good chance he’ll be taking a player who he doesn’t have a first-round grade on because typically no team has more than, say, 15-20 first-round grades in any draft.
However, because the Bills don’t have another pick until the third round at No. 91, unless Beane executes a trade down and out of the first round to situate himself in the second round where there will likely be better value on any player he picks, he may have no choice but to reach slightly at No. 26, and a player who might be worth doing it for is Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.
Throughout the draft process, Boston has been considered by analysts as a late first- or early second-round prospect which would place him in Buffalo’s wheelhouse if Beane is considering adding another wide receiver to an already crowded room.
Moore, Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer are expected to be the Bills’ top three receivers, armed with contracts that dictate they will be on the team and playing a lot. Keon Coleman remains an enigma who Beane and coach Joe Brady continue to say they still believe in. And Trent Sherfield was signed to fill the role of injured Tyrell Shavers as the No. 5 blocking wideout and core special teamer.
That’s why it’s difficult to project the Bills taking a receiver in the first round, especially with some glaring areas that need to be addressed on defense. Now, if Beane and Brady have been gaslighting us for two months with their public shows of faith in Coleman and their plan is to try to trade him for whatever they can get – maybe a sixth-round pick – to open his roster spot, a first-round receiver becomes more plausible.
“He’s going to give you the combination of (size and speed),” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said of Boston. “He can win at the line of scrimmage against press and he’s a red zone weapon who can play above the rim. He can adjust in the middle of the field, he’s a point scorer. He reminded me a lot of (Denver Bronco) Courtland Sutton.”
At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston would bring size and physicality to the position for Buffalo, something Coleman brought when Beane took him at the top of the second round in 2024, though that hasn’t manifested itself in production, especially given his draft status.
Coleman was considered a big-time contested catch receiver at Florida State, but according to Pro Football Focus charting, his success rate was 45.8%. In his two years with the Bills, it has plummeted to 36.4%.
In Boston’s two years as a starter at Washington his contested catch success was 61.1% and he did that with a miniscule 3.6% drop rate. Among the receivers projected to be first-round picks in this draft, only Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon – who most believe will be the first three receivers off the board, all before No. 26 – had better drop percentages than Boston.
When he was asked at the NFL scouting combine which NFL receivers he studies, Boston listed three who are big, physical players – Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and Nico Collins – meaning the type of receiver Josh Allen has never had in Buffalo.
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“I think the physical and dominant traits that I have will translate directly into the game as I get there,” said Boston, who exuded a bubbly personality during his media session. “Also, having a great contested catch rate and low drop rate. You know, we’re receivers, we catch the ball and that’s what we do. I think that’s something that will translate as well.”
He confirmed that he did meet with the Bills in Indianapolis so there is at least some interest, and the reason is partly because Boston was primarily an outside receiver in college. The Bills have Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid to operate from the slot, but they need boundary targets who can separate, especially if Moore or Palmer were to get hurt.
“Oh, I believe I can be a great separator at the next level,” Boston said. “I have creativity in my bag that I’m just waiting to be able to use. I believe I’ve displayed that as well.”
On the Check the Mic Show hosted by former PFF analysts Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson, they agreed that Boston would be a solid choice for Buffalo, even if No. 26 is a slight reach.
“I actually think when you look at his strengths, he’s a perfect fit,” Monson said. “I know Buffalo fans have PTSD over Keon Coleman. But when you look at (Boston’s) strengths, he will get open deep in a way, on the outside against press coverage, that none of the other Bills receivers do. I think his skill set is a perfect complement for what Buffalo has.”
Palazzolo added, “My initial notes, I said I think he’d be a good fit for (Patrick) Mahomes because of (his ability in the scramble drill to get open). Now, of course, Josh Allen lives in the scramble drill world eight to 10 times a game. And I know Boston has been mocked to the Bills at the end of the first round, and I think he’s fine there. I think he’s solid at a lot of things, I think he’s got a really good feel for the position. Scramble drill adjustments are fantastic. Hands are amazing.”
What analysts are saying about Denzel Boston
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “Boston builds his speed with smooth, long strides and naturally adjusts with the hand strength of a ball winner which should quickly earn him the trust of an NFL quarterback. With his ability to win inside or outside, his game has shades of 2025 Houston Texans draft pick Jayden Higgins. A good-sized athlete, Boston plays big and balanced with vacuum hands. He treats the catch point like he’s a power forward in the paint, boxing out and using his rangy frame and focus to secure the football.”
▶ Chris Trapasso, DraftGradeBook: “Overall, Boston projects as a specialized but valuable NFL X receiver whose game is built around size, vertical presence, and contested-catch ability. He isn’t going to win with suddenness or high-level route nuance, but in the right offense – particularly one that leans on isolation routes, backside digs, and schemed vertical shots – he can be a consistent chain mover and periodic splash-play producer.”
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
Boston, MA
What we know about wrong-way driver killed in head-on collision with state trooper in Lynnfield – The Boston Globe
Court records show that Marrero was the father of three children, the oldest of whom is 17. The youngest two children, twins, are 13 years old; Marrero’s death came days before their 14th birthday.
Records in Middlesex Probate and Family Court also suggest that Marrero faced financial difficulties and personal troubles, stemming in part from a work injury that family members said caused a bout of depression and deteriorating behavior in his personal life.
For nearly a decade, Marrero worked at Dewberry, a Boston engineering consulting firm, court records show, obtaining a job as an architectural design apprentice in 2005. He left the company in 2014, according to a company spokesperson.
Throughout that time, he doubled as a bartender on the side, working at Mexican restaurants in Boston and Waltham, court records show.
A knee injury ended Marrero’s career at Dewberry, court records show, and he left the company shortly thereafter.
That injury, according to court documents, was the catalyst for what his wife described as a “major depressive episode,” which she said contributed to the strain in their marriage. The couple, who had been married for more than 20 years, separated in 2022.
Records also show that Marrero struggled with debts to family members and credit card companies. During his divorce proceedings, it was unclear how much money he was taking home in income.
Marrero briefly owned and operated a contracting business, 109 Construction, but the corporation was administratively dissolved in 2024, according to state filings.
Marrero had lived in US since at least 2001, holding legal status. He became a naturalized citizen in March 2021, court records show.
Social media posts suggest he was active in the tight-knit Venezuelan community in Massachusetts. Photos show him cheering on Venezuela at a World Baseball Classic watch party in Brighton earlier this year.
Court records appear to show Marrero’s interest in art and music, owning a Venezuelan guitar, conga drums, and several Venezuelan paintings, as well as homemade winemaking setup.
Marrero’s family could not be reached for comment. A close friend reached by the Globe declined to comment.
Trainor had just completed his shift at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday and was driving home when he responded to a report for a Jeep traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 1, near the Lynnfield overpass.
Raised in Salem, Trainor began his public safety career as an Essex County correction officer before graduating from the State Police academy in 2023, State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said.
Trainor’s fiancée, Jessica D. Ostrowski, of Georgetown, posted an emotional message to social media Thursday, describing the late trooper as “my absolute best friend.”
“I am beyond proud for the amount of love you have been given by those who loved and cared about you,” she wrote.
Travis Andersen and Jeremiah Manion of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Material from previous Globe coverage was used.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.
Boston, MA
Funding scandal-hit Croft schools in Boston to close this summer after all
Administrators at the Croft School, struggling after allegations of financial fraud, haven’t been able to find a buyer for its Boston locations, which will now close at the end of the school year, parents were told Friday.
Millions of dollars were raised by families and community members to keep the private school open for a few more months while Croft School administrators scrambled to find a buyer. But in Friday’s email, the chief restructuring officer and independent sale advisor said that two parties expressed interest but they ultimately had to pivot toward winding operations down.
“To be clear, the 2025-2026 school year will be completed based on the availability of parent funding. However, without a viable timetable for a transaction, we are faced with this difficult decision,” the email said.
About 350 students had attended the Croft School’s three campuses, two in Boston and one in Providence. Regular tuition starts at $31,000, according to the website.
Millions were raised to keep the private school open for a few more months but the Croft School is looking for a buyer as a long-term fix to its financial problems.
More than 60 families unenrolled from the South End campus over the weekend, the email said.
News of the debt crisis surprised parents in March, when the school’s board revealed in a letter that founding Executive Director Scott Given admitted to fabricating a letter of credit regarding a possible expansion and keeping two sets of books, overstating the school’s revenue while understating its expenses.
The discovery that the school was more than $13 million in debt came after police were alerted to possible fraud. The school has said it’s cooperating with multiple investigations involving Given, who has been suspended.
The private school, with two locations in Boston and one in Providence, requires $5 million to stay open for the rest of the schoolyear.
Given has been sued by at least one Boston parent, accusing him of running a Ponzi scheme. His legal team has said he has no comment.
Parents rallied to save the school, raising enough funds to keep classes going.
The officials in charge of the sale noted “how hard many of you worked to maintain The Croft School as you know it,” but added that the “difficult circumstances, uncertain financials and condensed timeframe made this a trying environment for purchasers to timely make a binding offer for the schools.”
Boston, MA
Where to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 8
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Friday as the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox?
First pitch between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Friday, May 8.
How to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox on Friday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.
- Matchup: TB at BOS
- Date: Friday, May 8
- Time: 7:10 p.m. (ET)
- Venue: Fenway Park
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: NESN, Rays.TV and WMOR
- Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 8 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
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