Riley Moss
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Denver broncos cornerback Riley Moss.
If you’re wondering why the Denver Broncos haven’t already paid cornerback Riley Moss, that’s a fair question. The smart thing to do with a reliable starter like Moss — maybe even an elite player eventually — would be to pay him now when the price is low and lock him down for another 2-3 years with an extension.
Another option for the Broncos? Put Moss on the trade market and see what kind of offers are out there, where he would almost certainly fetch a high trade price.
Fox Sports NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano thinks the best destination for Moss, a full-time starter the last 2 seasons, would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay’s 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 77 overall).
“After adding help up front in free agency, even coach Todd Bowles acknowledged the need for another corner amid Jamel Dean‘s departure,” Vacchiano wrote. “The Broncos are strong at that position and could be willing to deal the 26-year-old Moss ahead of the last year of his contract. He’s been good playing opposite Patrick Surtain, considering the amount of teams that would prefer to throw at him. His low cost could mean the Broncos wouldn’t part with him for less than a second-round pick, unless the Bucs dangled a player in the deal, like perhaps young running back Sean Tucker.”
Riley Moss Topped Trade Candidates List for Broncos
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti put Moss at the top of the list of trade candidates for the Broncos this offseason following their 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
“Moss started all 17 games in 2025, and has now put together back-to-back strong seasons, especially as it pertains to stopping the running game,” Ginnitti wrote. “However it stands to reason that 2025 1st-round pick Jahdae Barron will be ready to step into his role going forward, putting Moss — who is entering a contract year in 2026 — on the outside looking in.”
Key to Trading Riley Moss: Get Him Out of the AFC
Moss has operated at a high level playing across from 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and perennial All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. It’s a thankless task few would be up for but Moss has continually shined in.
Never was Moss’ value more on display than when Surtain missed 3 games during the 2025 season with an injury to his pectoral muscle — a stretch in which Moss was pushed into the CB1 role and the Broncos went 3-0.
So, if the Broncos do trade Moss, the smartest thing to do would be to make sure he ends up in the NFC. It would be a nightmare to send him to another AFC team and have him come back to help beat the Broncos.
1st Round Pick Jahdae Barron Struggled as Rookie
Trading Moss won’t fix the bigger problem with Barron, who looked completely lost as the Broncos tried to shoehorn him into the lineup at slot cornerback only to see him continually outplayed by an undrafted free agent in Ja’Quan McMillian, who made the defensive play of the year with his overtime interception against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz singled Barron out as Denver’s “Biggest Weakness” headed into the postseason — specifically because Barron has struggled in his role covering slot wide receivers.