Playing across from Patrick Surtain II isn’t easy, but Denver Broncos third-year cornerback Riley Moss won’t every shy away from a challenge.
Good morning, Broncos Country.
It’s not easy playing in the National Football League. It’s even harder when you’re the cornerback starting on the other side of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. But Denver Broncos third-year cornerback Riley Moss isn’t one to shy away from a challenge.
After being a special teamer for his rookie year in 2023, Moss earned the job opposite of Patrick Surtain II for the Broncos’ 2024 campaign. A fourteen-game starter, it was trial by fire for the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout who endured a series of highs and lows throughout the season.
After suffering a MCL injury against the Las Vegas Raiders, Moss missed three games but returned in late December as the Broncos were making their playoff push. He finished the season with 85 tackles, 8 passes defended, and 1 interception with a forced fumble and fumble recovery as well.
This past offseason, the Broncos made several big additions to their secondary by drafting defensive back Jahdae Barron and signing safety Talanoa Hufanga. That will make it tougher for opposing teams to throw against Denver. Nevertheless, Moss knows he is going to see a high volume of throws his way. That’s just part of the game playing opposite of the best defender in NFL.
“As long as I’m across from DPOY, it’s going to be like that, and I love the challenge. It makes it fun. It makes it fun to come in to work knowing it’s on me. I’m going to be on an island, and what can I do? That’s what I think makes this game so beautiful and why I love the position that I’m in,” Moss stated after Wednesday’s practice.
Last year, Moss played a total of 836 defensive snaps with 543 of them in coverage. He was targeted 103 times and allowed 67 receptions for 747 yards and 4 touchdowns. For perspective, Surtain was targeted 62 times and surrendered 38 receptions for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns—over the course of 978 defensive snaps—648 of them in coverage.
This offseason, the veteran cornerback made adding strength a priority in order to be more competitive. He mentioned he added near eight pounds of muscle mass. Not only that, but he hopes to be more efficient making plays on the ball, which was a bright spot of his during his collegiate career.
“I think the point of attack when the ball’s up in the air. Some of those 50/50 balls being stronger, not getting pushed off. That was a big thing for me this offseason was getting bigger, getting stronger, being able to push against the receiver and be a little bit more physical.”
This year’s Broncos could have a dominant secondary. If they play up to their talent level, it’s quite possible they could rival what the No-Fly Zone accomplished all those years ago. If that’s going to happen, Moss will have to continue to grow and improve in his third season. By the sounds if it, he is taking all the steps necessary to ensure he takes flight and brings his play to new heights in ‘25.
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