ESPN Pinpoints Broncos' 3rd-Rounder as Best 'Value' Draft Pick

The reactions to the Riley Moss pick have been mixed but mostly positive for the Denver Broncos.

We’re one week removed from the 2023 NFL draft, and the evaluations and grades keep rolling in. Rookies will report to minicamp within the next week, along with several veteran free agent tryouts, with an eye set on making the 53-man roster.

For a second consecutive season, Denver Broncos GM George Paton was without a first-round pick. However, in collaboration with new head coach Sean Payton, Denver's general manager drafted five prospects.

While first-rounders usually offer plenty of prestige and potential, most NFL playoff teams have constructed their rosters in the latter rounds of the draft, selecting value instead of wish-list prospects.

For a second time in the first two days of the draft, the Broncos executed a trade-up, relinquishing pick No. 108 and a 2024 third-round pick to Seattle for the No. 83 pick, drafting Iowa cornerback Riley Moss.

The trade and selection of Moss may have caught some in Broncos Country off guard, but ESPN draft expert Todd McShay praised Denver for its selection. McShay views Moss as the Broncos' best value pick in this year’s draft class.

It's tough to really nail a draft when you have five picks and nothing before No. 63 (which Denver had to trade up to get on Friday night). The pick that stood out most to me was Moss, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound cornerback. Pat Surtain II is of course a star locking down one of the Broncos' cornerback spots, but opposite him? Denver is looking for answers. So I can get behind a ball hawk at No. 83.

Moss totaled 11 interceptions and 23 pass breakups over his five seasons at Iowa. He's a little tight, but he has the speed to turn and run with pass-catchers and the instincts to read the QB in zone looks. His frame allows him to compete with big receivers, but I could see him moving inside to a nickel role. Maybe he kicks back to safety, too, where Kiper has him projected. Regardless, Moss has the traits to really help this defense.

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When I evaluated Moss at the Senior Bowl, his raw athleticism as an accomplished track star was just as evident as his versatility in the defensive backfield. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder can play cornerback, safety and is expected to contribute in nickel and dime packages in addition to special teams. 

Moss also boasted a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, making him a threat to take on the playmaking receivers that litter the AFC West. His collegiate career spanned five seasons in which he appeared in 43 games and totaled 158 tackles (123 solo), five tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. 

The former Hawkeye leaves his home state as a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and was the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. The talented rookie joins a defensive backfield with fellow draft class safety JL Skinner, along with veterans Justin Simmons, P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns, and Delarrin Turner-Yell, as well as cornerbacks Surtain, Damarri Mathis, K’Waun Williams, and Essang Bassey.

When a third-rounder garners this much attention, there is plenty of reason for fans to get excited.

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