After a rookie season to forget, Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss might be on the verge of a breakout campaign in 2024.
Moss was picked by the Broncos in the third round of last year’s NFL draft out of Iowa. He then underwent core muscle surgery in the summer, which undoubtedly had an impact on Moss’ rookie season.
The 24-year-old cornerback dressed for 14 games last year, but he only played 23 snaps on defense. Now healthy, Moss is stepping up going into Year 2.
“He’s doing great,” safety P.J. Locke said after last week’s preseason game. “He’s picking up the playbook. Riley has a crazy skillset. I mean nobody expected it, obviously. He’s fast, he has great footwork, he has great technique, he knows the defense, and he’s doing great.”
Moss has been competing with Damarri Mathis for the No. 2 cornerback spot across from Pat Surtain during training camp and preseason.
“He’s smart,” coach Sean Payton said of Moss in June. “I’d say you feel his length at corner. When I say that, just even on that play, it’s a tougher play to make if you’re a shorter corner. So you feel his length. He has really good transitional skills, and I think he’s smart. He’s picking up the technique, and he has versatility outside, in. We have good competition there.”
After impressing in preseason, Moss certainly seems to be on track to start across from Surtain in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. Moss is one of seven projected new starters for Denver’s defense this fall.
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