The Denver Broncos may be in the middle of a pivotal rebuild, but one of the brightest spots emerging from their defense is the rapid development of second-year cornerback Riley Moss. After an up-and-down rookie campaign that was marred by injury setbacks and inconsistent playing time, Moss has now turned the corner—both figuratively and literally. The Broncos’ coaching staff is not just hopeful about his future, they are, in their own words, “really encouraged” with what they’re seeing day in and day out.
Coming into his sophomore season, expectations for Moss were mixed. Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Moss brought an impressive college resume to Denver, including 11 interceptions and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award. But despite his collegiate pedigree and strong athletic profile, Moss found it difficult to carve out a consistent role as a rookie. He battled a core muscle injury that required surgery and sidelined him through most of training camp and preseason action. That lost time cost him valuable reps, and as a result, he struggled to break into the rotation in the early weeks of the 2023 season.
Now healthy, mentally locked in, and with a full NFL offseason under his belt, Moss is flashing the skills that made him such a coveted prospect coming out of Iowa. The 6-foot, 193-pound cornerback has impressed the coaching staff with his discipline in coverage, improved footwork, and an aggressive mentality that suits defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s evolving scheme. Moss has been working primarily on the outside but has also gotten snaps in the slot, a sign that Denver sees him as a versatile weapon they can deploy in multiple ways.
During spring OTAs, Moss has been one of the most noticeable defenders on the field, frequently making plays against both starters and backups. He broke up several passes during team drills, including a leaping deflection on a deep ball intended for Courtland Sutton and a key third-down stop during a red zone simulation. His confidence is growing, and so is the trust from his teammates.
Veteran safety Justin Simmons, one of the unquestioned leaders of the Broncos defense, recently praised Moss’s progression and work ethic. “You can tell he’s put in the work this offseason. Riley’s a smart player, but now he’s playing fast because he knows where to be and what to expect. He’s not second-guessing anymore,” Simmons said. “That makes a big difference, especially at cornerback where confidence is everything.”
Head coach Sean Payton echoed that sentiment, noting how much smoother Moss looks in his second go-round. “He’s a player we were high on coming out of college, and obviously last year didn’t go exactly how we wanted with the injury, but we’re really encouraged by the growth we’re seeing,” Payton said. “He’s competing every day, he’s asking the right questions, and he’s executing.”
What’s most encouraging for Denver is that Moss appears to be translating his instincts and ball-hawking ability from the Big Ten to the NFL. Though he recorded just one pass breakup in limited action last year, he was often in good position but just a step late or hesitant in his reactions. Those growing pains are now behind him. Moss has been quicker to recognize route concepts, more decisive in reading quarterbacks’ eyes, and sharper with his technique at the line of scrimmage.
One area where Moss has also impressed is in his film study and preparation. According to defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Moss has emerged as a standout in the meeting rooms. “He’s asking the kinds of questions that second-year players don’t always think to ask,” Parker noted. “He wants to understand not just what his job is, but what the whole defense is doing. That’s when you know a guy is taking the next step.”
That mental leap is critical, especially in a division that features elite quarterback play from the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Denver’s secondary has long been a strength of the team, and the emergence of Moss gives the Broncos an additional chess piece as they look to match up with AFC West offenses that love to spread the field and attack vertically.
With veteran cornerback Patrick Surtain II entrenched as one of the best shutdown corners in the league, the Broncos have been looking for another young playmaker to emerge opposite him. Damarri Mathis and Ja’Quan McMillian saw extended time last season, but neither solidified themselves as consistent starting-caliber options. Moss, with his blend of size, athleticism, and ball skills, now has a real shot to push for that starting job on the outside—or, at the very least, become the team’s top backup and primary rotational option.
If Moss can carry over his strong offseason into training camp and the preseason, he could dramatically reshape the depth chart. His emergence could allow Joseph to get more creative with his coverages, perhaps incorporating more disguised zones or rotating safety help based on matchups. It could also enable Surtain to shadow No. 1 receivers more often without compromising the integrity of the rest of the coverage unit.
The Broncos are also looking to rebuild their identity on defense after a 2023 season that saw them finish near the bottom of the league in several key statistical categories, including passing yards allowed per game. Injuries and inconsistencies plagued the secondary throughout the year, but with a healthier roster and ascending young talent like Moss, there’s cautious optimism that things are trending in the right direction.
Moss isn’t taking anything for granted, however. Speaking with reporters after a recent practice, he said his focus is on continuing to build trust and prove he belongs. “Nothing is given in this league,” Moss said. “You’ve got to earn every rep, every opportunity. I’m just trying to keep my head down, stay humble, and keep stacking good days.”
His maturity and mindset are not lost on the Broncos’ leadership group. General manager George Paton, who made the decision to trade up in the 2023 draft to select Moss, remains bullish on his potential. “We liked his tape, we liked his character, and we felt he was a good fit for what we’re trying to build here,” Paton said. “He’s still growing, but we like where he’s headed.”
Fans, too, are starting to take notice. During a recent open practice, Moss received a loud ovation after snagging an interception in 7-on-7 drills. Social media buzzed with clips of the play, and longtime Broncos supporters began speculating that Moss could be one of the team’s breakout players in 2025.
