When people talk about the Broncos and what’s on the line this season, the obvious answer is Bo Nix. But The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider went a different direction, and the pick that stood out was cornerback Riley Moss.
Kosmider pointed out that Nix is the easy call because a huge extension could be waiting if his progress keeps rolling. Still, he made the case that Moss is the more interesting player to watch, especially with the end of his rookie contract approaching after Denver took him in the third round in 2023.
That answer makes sense when you look at how Moss has fit into the defense. He’s built a reputation as a steady presence, the kind of corner who keeps showing up in the right spots while lining up opposite Pat Surtain II and drawing plenty of attention from opposing offenses. He doesn’t miss assignments, and early in his career he earned praise for always seeming to be where he needed to be.
But reliability only gets you so far at cornerback. Moss has also been flagged for some costly penalties, particularly when he’s dealing with bigger, faster receivers. Denver has tried to protect him with scheme, though there are still moments when that matchup can’t be avoided.
This offseason, Moss has been going through tape the Broncos coaching staff sent him, studying both the good and the bad. He says he’s pretty calm about the whole thing, but the next step is obvious: if he can clean up the penalties, there’s a major payday waiting for him.
And that’s where the Broncos’ decision gets interesting. They’ll eventually have to choose between Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian, who has shown real playmaking ability at corner, while former top draft pick Jahdae Barron is also in the mix.
As Evans noted, Moss would also lose trade value if Denver decides to hold onto him, which is why moving him earlier rather than later is at least part of the conversation. It’s not expected to happen, but it adds another layer to a situation worth watching.
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Broncos Run Game May Hinge On One Overlooked Lineman
The Broncos rushing game has had a familiar shape this season, with the numbers tending to move in step with the availability of left guard Ben Powers. When he has been in the lineup, Denver has generally been able to lean more comfortably on the ground game, but his injury absence took a toll on that production and made the interior of the line a bigger storyline than many expected.
Powers is also in the final year of his contract, which adds another layer to the discussion as Denver looks ahead. The Broncos have already made a few moves that suggest they are preparing for life beyond him after 2026, so even as his return helps stabilize the run game now, his long-term place on the roster is starting to feel less certain. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Fans Should Love RJ Harveys Push But Theres A Catch
RJ Harvey spent his offseason doing the kind of homework that usually gets noticed in September, studying film of Christian McCaffrey, Kenneth Walker and Jahmyr Gibbs as he looks to sharpen the all-around game that made him such a useful rookie for Denver. He already gave the Broncos a lot to like last season, piling up 540 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while adding 47 catches for 356 yards and five more scores as a receiver.
The push is encouraging because Harvey is trying to build on a strong first year, but the next step for him is also where the conversation gets more complicated. Denver has added more bodies to the backfield, and Harveys role could hinge on how well he handles the tougher inside work that was not always as clean late last season, which makes his offseason growth worth watching once camp starts sorting out the pecking order. [Read more 🡒]