Super Bowl Champion Says Teams ‘Targeting’ Broncos CB Riley Moss
One of the great things about having Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II on the roster is that, every time he plays, essentially one half of the field is shut down to the opposing team’s passing game.
That just leaves one side of the field to throw to. And Broncos‘ opponents are throwing there. A lot.
Former Broncos NFL All-Pro safety, 3-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion safety T.J. Ward pointed out teams are now targeting Broncos cornerback Riley Moss, the starter opposite Surtain the last 2 seasons.
Specifically, Ward compared this year’s Denver defense — considered the NFL’s elite unit — to the Broncos‘ Super Bowl winning defense in 2015.
“The thing with us was, we figured out there weren’t no holes (in our defense),” Ward said on the DNVR Broncos podcast on October 7. “You couldn’t pick out one person and say ‘We gonna go at him’ … you couldn’t target anyone. Teams are targeting (Moss). He has to do better situationally.”
The Broncos are 3-2 and coming off an upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5 — a game in which Moss was constantly torched by Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who finished with 8 receptions for 114 yards.
The Broncos return to action in Week 6 in London, where they’ll face the New York Jets.
Moss Became Full Time Starter in 2024
It’s not a stretch to say Surtain is playing just as good or better as he did last season, when he became the first Broncos player named NFL Defensive Player of the Year since linebacker Randy Gradishar in 1978.
It might not also be a stretch to say Surtain only was able to ascend when he got an elite cornerback playing opposite him when Moss became the Broncos‘ full time starter at the other outside cornerback spot in 2024, in his second season.
Moss was something of an oddity when he first got into the starting lineup as the NFL’s first white, starting cornerback since New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn in 2002.
Moss was originally committed to play for FCS powerhouse North Dakota State but flipped when he got a late offer from Iowa, where he was an All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2021 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
Moss ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL combine and was drafted by the Broncos in the 3rd round (No. 83 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.
Moss Also Popular Target on Social Media
Few NFL cornerbacks get lit up on social media like Moss does, week in and week out.
“Raiders CB Kyu Blu Kelly has allowed 346 yards this season, the most in the NFL,” Catapult Sports’ Tristen Kuhn wrote on X on October 6. The second most, Broncos CB
“Every team that faces the Broncos’ defense has the same game plan and it’s just ‘beat Riley Moss like a snare drum,’ ” NFL Reporter Christian D’Andrea wrote on X on October 5.
“It has been a mixed bag of results when teams decide to attack Broncos DB Riley Moss,” The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Devin Jackson wrote on his official X account before the Broncos played the Eagles. “He’s allowed just 1 TD as nearest defender in coverage this season, has given up some downfield catches, in and out breakers in man coverage, but he also has a couple PBUs. Could see a decent amount of DeVonta Smith targets this weekend.”
Browns Fire Sale Could Continue With David Njoku Trade
The Cleveland Browns will likely trade their veterans in the coming weeks, and tight end David Njoku is one of the most likely players to find a new team. After starting the season 1-4 and sending veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland has effectively thrown in the towel on the 2025 season and is looking towards the future. The best way to build for what’s to come is by sending aging veterans to contenders for draft picks, and Njoku is one of the most logical trade targets out there.
According to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports , David Njoku is a name to watch as the Browns approach the trade deadline. This makes sense, as the former first-round pick is still a good player but is entering the final year of his contract. With rookie tight end Harold Fannin showing promise, Njoku will likely join a new team for the final stretch of 2025.
Main Photo: Scott Gavin Imagn Images
Breaking: Browns Could Trade David Njoku Next
David Njoku originally entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected by the Cleveland Browns, the Miami product never reached the heights of guys like Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce, but did establish himself as one of the league’s better tight ends. Joining the 0-17 Browns as a rookie, the tight end finished his inaugural season with 32 receptions for 386 yards and four touchdowns on 60 targets.
Njoku’s best season likely came during the 2023 campaign. Playing with Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco, the veteran started and appeared in 16 games while recording 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns while helping the team make an unexpected playoff birth. He’s currently in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent following the season.
