​Playing cornerback in the National Football League is extraordinarily challenging, and the task becomes even tougher when you’re lined up opposite an All-Pro caliber player like Patrick Surtain II. For the past two seasons, Riley Moss has faced that exact test. By most accounts, the former Iowa standout has performed admirably given the volume of targets he has absorbed from game to game.
Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Moss spent most of his rookie campaign learning the league in a reserve role. Over the last two years, he has stepped into a full-time starting role on the boundary opposite Surtain. In that span, he has started 31 games and logged more than 1,900 defensive snaps for the team.
As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, Moss is set to be a key contributor for Denver again in 2026, though his long-term future with the franchise remains uncertain. Here’s what to expect from the Hawkeyes product in his fourth season in the Mile High City.
Basic facts: Age 26 | Experience: Fourth Year | College: Iowa | Height: 6’0” | Weight: 193 pounds. 2025 statistics: 17 games played, 17 starts, 80 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 19 passes defended.
The expectation for 2026 is that the Broncos’ cornerback rotation will stay largely unchanged. Moss is anticipated to remain the starter opposite Surtain, with Ja’Quan McMillian handling nickel duties. It’s widely regarded as one of the league’s strongest trios at the position, and there’s little reason to disrupt it.
How did Moss perform last season? According to SIS DataHub, he was targeted 103 times in 2025 and allowed 52 receptions, equating to a 51 percent completion rate—one of the best marks in the NFL. Those 52 receptions yielded 720 receiving yards, and Moss was credited with four allowed touchdowns. He also set a league-high with 19 passes defended.
One area where Moss could improve is in penalties. Since entering the league, he has been penalized 17 times, with many of those coming on pass interference calls on third-and-long plays that extended drives for opponents. Reducing these penalties would be a meaningful step forward.
Additionally, Moss could benefit from creating a few more turnovers. He has just one interception in the past two years, and with the volume of targets he sees, turning some of those deflections into game-changing plays would be a welcome boost for the Broncos’ offense.
Over the past two seasons, Moss has performed admirably for Denver. While concerns about penalties have persisted among fans, he has nonetheless made several impactful plays and has justified his draft slot. There is clear room for improvement, but Moss has proven his value and potential in the Broncos’ secondary.
Looking ahead to 2026, Moss is projected to start on the boundary opposite Surtain, forming a duo—alongside Surtain and McMillian—that remains a cornerstone of Denver’s defense. This trio is widely regarded as among the NFL’s best at the position, and with continued development, Moss could take an even bigger step forward in his fourth season.