Broncos’ Rare Playmaker Called ‘X Factor’ for 2025 Regular Season
The Denver Broncos boast one of the NFL’s best defenses, and 2023 third-round draft pick and starting cornerback Riley Moss is an underrated critical factor.
More specifically, ESPN’s Benjamin Solak believes Moss could be the Broncos’ “X factor.”
Moss battled injuries as a rookie. But he allowed 65% completion on 107 targets in his first year as a starter for the Broncos in 2024. He was one of seven players to face at least 100 targets, ranking fifth in completion percentage allowed, per Stathead.
Broncos CB Riley Moss In Challenging Position
The Broncos led the league in sacks in 2024, which helps out the back end of the defense. Still, Moss is in a unique spot with the Broncos. He bookends the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, fellow corner Pat Surtain II.
“Only three outside corners with at least 200 coverage snaps were targeted more than Moss last season. Not because he was a bad player — he allowed 7.6 yards per target, just above the average (7.4) for outside corners. But because that’s what happens when you play opposite Pat Surtain II: Teams throw it at you,” Solak wrote on August 28, noting the youngster’s struggles against Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins while returning from a sprained MCL.
“His film was a lot better than his coverage numbers imply — he lost a lot of contested catches and should expect some positive regression there. But the target density isn’t going away.”
“Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wants to play man coverage and blitz, so opposing quarterbacks will default to challenging Moss with back-shoulder fades and dare him to make them pay at the catch point,” Solak wrote. “Moss’ first season as a starter was encouraging, but he’ll need to take another step for the Broncos to remain atop the defensive charts.”
Riley Moss Working to Maintain Rare Status
Moss made waves last season, earning the Broncos’ job opposite Surtain. He was one of the first two white starting corners in the NFL since 2003, along with 2024 first-round pick Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Moss is working diligently to maintain his position.
“I think the biggest thing was the weight room. Putting weight on, being more consistent with my diet in terms of protein. Eating a good amount of food. Because that was the biggest thing, I thought, last year,” Moss told reporters on August 27. “I was getting pushed off a lot at the point of attack. And, now this year I’ve been working on staying at the hip, working early down the field if they’re running the fade ball, and then turning my head and trying to get the ball, and get some takeaways.”
Moss joked that he needed to cut the beard he sported during his availability. More importantly, he seems to have solidified his spot in the Broncos’ defense for the time being.
The Broncos are certainly well-positioned if Moss falters in 2025.
Broncos CB Room Loaded
Surtain is a two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler. The Broncos drafted Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 overall pick in this year’s draft, and he is stuck behind Moss and incumbent starting nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian on the depth chart.
That depth has seen Moss land in trade speculation, but the Broncos learned the hard way how critical quality depth is at cornerback last season.
The Cleveland Browns and WR Jerry Jeudy picked on Moss’ fill-in, Levi Wallace, in Week 13.
The Broncos also have 2024 fifth-round draft pick Kris Abrams-Draine. They are well off in the event of poor performance by Moss or anyone else who is not Surtain. That kind of depth breeds competition, which is good for the team in general.
