Denver Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss is eager to own his role in 2024, whatever it may be. After missing training camp last season, Moss has fully embraced every rep he’s been given in his first full training camp experience as he looks to compete for the starting job opposite of Patrick Surtain II.
Broncos CB Riley Moss embracing competition
Cornerback is one of the toughest positions to play in today’s NFL as offenses have evolved into rule-favored, motion-heavy units. These dynamics make it difficult for corners to play true to the position and have forced defensive coordinator to be creative with their coverage looks and the rules they are now forced to play by.
Under new defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, he wants the secondary to be multifaceted to cover outside and inside, something Moss knows he can do.
“At Iowa in college, we were pretty much playing outside,” Moss said. “Here, you get into more man looks and nub sets that you have to go over because there are two receivers. You’re playing the slot even though you’re playing corner, so you’ve got to be able to do everything. I think I’ve grown a lot since last year, taking nickel reps and dime reps for me to be over in these corner spots and the slot.”
His athleticism has been on display during the team’s offseason program and early in training camp, and he’s mastered the little intricacies of the position from a fundamental standpoint that have him in line for a starting job as he competes with Damarri Mathis and veteran Levi Wallace for the role. While competition is fierce, Moss believes that the position room is making each other better.
“I think it’s one of those things where ‘iron sharpens iron,'” Moss said. It sounds cliche, but everyone’s getting better—Levi [Wallace], Damarri [Mathis], and myself. I think it’s good for us; it pushes us to be better every day, look at the little things, because the little things count at the end of the day, and I think that’s what makes you a better player.”
Regardless of how the competition ends, Moss is ready to own his role, something he embraced last season after a core-muscle injury in training camp impacted his rookie season. When he returned from injury, he immediately carved out a role for himself as a core four specialist on special teams.
“It was one of those things where I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to own my role wherever I’m at,'” Moss reflected. “Help the team out. That’s the most important thing about football — it’s the ultimate team game, and you’re not going to be successful as a team if you’re moping and mad that you’re not starting at the corner spot and you’re just playing special teams. You’ve got to go out and own your position wherever you’re at and do your best job to excel.”
As the pads come on for training camp and the preseason inches closer, Moss is determined to own his role and help contribute to the success of the Broncos’ defense.
