Unpacking Future Packers: No. 39, Iowa CB Riley Moss

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Iowa cornerback Riley Moss.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

A ball-hawking defensive back out of Iowa. Green Bay Packers fans have been down this road before. 

Micah Hyde finished his career as a Hawkeye with eight interceptions and ended up being drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Joshua Jackson, a converted wide receiver recorded eight interceptions and 18 pass deflections during his final season at Iowa and was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Another ball-hawking defensive back that the Packers could target in the 2023 NFL Draft is Riley Moss. The Iowa cornerback checks in at No. 39 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

During his first season on campus, Moss picked off two passes. He followed that up with another two interceptions in five games during the 2019 season. In 2020, Moss recorded 43 tackles and two interceptions. 

Moss was named the Big 10 Defensive Back of the Year in 2021 after recording three tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two touchdowns. 

This past season, Moss recorded 47 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, and 11 pass deflections. 

Moss was a track athlete in high school. He was a state champion in the 110-meter hurdles and set an Iowa state record in the event with a time of 13.85. That straight-line speed and athleticism were on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine when he clocked a 4.45 40-yard dash and recorded a 39-inch vertical and a 10-7 broad jump.

Moss is a highly instinctive cornerback. He showcases great route recognition. He uses the boundary as an ally and has great spatial awareness. He has fancy footwork and adequate lower body fluidity. 

Moss has top-shelf ball skills. He makes up for his shorter arms with his instincts and leaping ability. He attacks the ball like a wide receiver. 

“Despite his shorter arms it hasn’t stopped him yet from being competitive at the catch point,” Jacob Keppen, a contributor for Hawkeyeswire.com said. “I do think his physicality is one of the best things about him and why you’d want to draft him. Of course, there’s the fear of that not translating from college to the NFL, but he’s shown for multiple years in the Big Ten that he won’t let his size limit him.” 

Moss is a high-energy player. He’s more than willing to come up and fill in run support. The Iowa cornerback hits like a safety and for the most part has been a reliable open-field tackler. He missed 11 tackles in 2021 but cut that number down to six this past season. 

“So the shame is that he is smaller, that’s always going to be a knock on him,” Keppen said. “I do like how willing of a tackler he is and he’s definitely not bad with a head of steam. Again, he’s never going to be the biggest though.”

In high school, Moss was a return specialist and returned one punt and kickoff for a touchdown during his senior year. At Iowa, he only returned four kickoffs. He finished his career as a Hawkeye with 590 snaps on special teams. A role that he could fill during his rookie season. 

Fit with the Packers

With Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, and Keisean Nixon on the roster the Packers are set at cornerback. There’s a chance that Douglas moves to safety, putting a small dent in at cornerback. 

Enter Moss. The athletic cornerback would provide quality depth and could even be a candidate to move to safety if the Packers viewed him in that light. 

“If you’re looking for a mid-round cornerback, there is a lot to like about Riley Moss,” Keppen said. “He’s very athletic, and that athleticism translates on the field as well. He brings a competitive Big Ten nature to the position, as well as multiple years of good starting experience. Maybe he develops into a starter, maybe not, but he has the look of a really good depth piece.”

It would be shocking to see the Packers leave the 2023 NFL Draft without having selected at least one cornerback from this talented class.

With his athleticism, toughness, and special teams chops, Moss could be an attractive target in the third or fourth round for the Packers as they look to bolster their depth at cornerback while adding a hired gun on special teams.

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