Riley Moss is heading into 2026 with a lot more than another season on the line. For the Broncos cornerback, the path to a major payday is pretty clear: clean up the penalties, and the money could follow fast.
That’s the case Nick Kosmider of The Athletic makes, and it comes down to one issue that has followed Moss for the past two seasons. If he can get that part of his game under control, Kosmider notes, Moss could be in position for “a major payday - be it in the form of an in-season extension from the Broncos or during free agency next spring,”
The timing matters. Moss is entering year four and is set to reach free agency in 2027, which puts real pressure on this season.
The Broncos have plenty of players with something to prove, including Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, the entire RB room, and especially Bo Nix. But Moss stands out because his next step could change his financial future in a big way.
He’s already given Denver plenty to like. While Patrick Surtain II gets most of the spotlight, Moss has been an important part of the Broncos’ defensive success in recent years. The 26-year-old, a 2023 third-round pick, is coming off a strong 2026 season with 19 passes defended, one interception, 80 tackles, and an 88.2 passer rating allowed, which was the best of his career.
There’s still room for his game to grow, though, and the penalty problem is the obvious hurdle. Moss has steadily improved as a cover corner over the last three years, and if that progress continues while the flags come down, he could put himself in the conversation with the NFL’s best at the position.
That’s why 2026 feels so important for him. A cleaner season, paired with more growth in coverage, could push Moss into top-10 cornerback money next offseason.
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The running back question behind J.K. Dobbins is one of the more interesting ones, with RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman offering different skill sets for the staff to weigh. The same kind of choice exists on defense, where Eyioma Uwazurike, Sai'vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim are all in the mix to help replace John Franklin-Myers' production, while Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant could turn the WR3 role into another camp-long fight worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Rookie Is Suddenly Fueling A Familiar Draft Debate
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Colemans rise has also revived a familiar draft conversation around players who slip a little and then force teams to wonder what they missed. Draft analyst Justin Melo has gone so far as to put Coleman among a group of rookies he believes could make teams regret passing on them, and there is an added layer here because Coleman once posted a pre-draft image imagining himself in Broncos colors. For now, Denver just needs the rookie to keep turning that kind of buzz into useful snaps when camp opens. [Read more 🡒]
Two Broncos Linemen Just Put Denver's Biggest Strength Under Pressure
A pair of Broncos linemen just got a little national attention for the kind of work that usually stays inside the building. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell put Alex Palczewski and Eyioma Uwazurike on an All-Backup team, a nod to the kind of roster depth Denver has tried to build in the trenches. Palczewski has already shown he can step in when injuries hit up front, while Uwazurike is part of a defensive line group that has been asked to absorb change and keep the unit steady.
For Denver, the bigger question is how much more those backup roles turn into real responsibility. The offensive line is expected to take on a different look under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, with more emphasis on the run game after a season spent protecting Bo Nix, and the defensive front is adjusting to departures and new coaching. If the Broncos are going to keep their line play among the teams biggest strengths, it may depend on players like Palczewski and Uwazurike proving that the depth chart is more than just insurance. [Read more 🡒]