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The Denver Broncos used a third-round draft pick in April to select Iowa cornerback Riley Moss.
Broncos coach Sean Payton reiterated at rookie minicamp earlier this month that Moss was a player they hoped would be available in the third round, and the team traded up to acquire him when he was.
“I said this after the draft: I felt like he was one of those players — when you begin doing the mock [drafts] and you start studying where players are going to fall and where we were picking in the third round, he was someone that we hoped would be available,” Payton said.
Moss has the size (6-0, 193 pounds) and speed (4.45) to develop into a top cornerback in the NFL.
“He’s in good shape, and he’s a guy that’s a smooth mover,” Payton said. “He can run, and he can run fast. His prototype — when you hear me say that, he’s over six feet. He’s also someone that learns pretty quickly. You see some of his athleticism, even in the special teams drills when we watch it on tape. He’s someone that moves well and has the athleticism needed to play corner, which is probably one of the more athletic positions in our game.”
Moss will be competing with Damarri Mathis this summer for the team’s No. 2 cornerback job across from Pat Surtain. Moss might not be the favorite to start in Week 1, but the Broncos clearly like his long-term upside.