The Denver Broncos entered the 2024 season with extra questions than solutions on the roster. Without a doubt the largest query that's nonetheless removed from being answered is determining whether or not rookie Bo Nix is able to being a long-term franchise quarterback for the group.
That stays an important factor for Denver to aim to determine this season, maybe much more essential than squeaking into the playoffs with a group feeling the dead-cap ramifications of the Russell Wilson launch and so little premium alternatives on the roster (solely 5 first-round picks on this roster in complete).
Finding out whether or not Nix can change into a top quality quarterback for the Broncos isn’t the one space George Paton, Sean Payton, and the decision-makers will hope to search out solutions all through this season.
Given Denver has a lot lifeless cap, is coping with the downstream results of prior trades (buying and selling up within the draft a number of instances in 2023, buying Wilson, buying and selling for Payton, and remains to be paying for a number of dangerous draft lessons towards the top of John Elway’s tenure as the GM), the Broncos have an enormous variety of comparatively inexperienced younger gamers enjoying key roles on Sundays.
Can a younger receiver step up out of Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims Jr. to assist in giving Nix one other weapon to enhance the veterans? Can Denver discover something from the tight finish place from Greg Dulcich or different younger choices?
Will Luke Wattenberg develop this season, or will he proceed to be one of many worst facilities in soccer, leaving a gaping gap on the costly offensive line? Can any rookie contract working again do one thing?
Unfortunately, by means of three video games, the Broncos haven't had optimistic outcomes from most younger choices on the offensive facet of the ball. There is a number of soccer to go fortunately.
Thankfully, the protection has been on the opposite finish of the spectrum for Denver. Zach Allen is enjoying at a Pro Bowl degree, Jonathon Cooper is so disruptive it'd make sense to get him locked as much as keep in Denver earlier than free company, Jonah Elliss and Nik Bonitto additionally look formidable within the edge room.
Ja'Quan McMillian seems to have recaptured a few of his mid-2023 season play after tailing off final yr. The one unknown, although, thrust into an extremely essential spot that has emphatically flashed capability and competence by means of the beginning of the season is second-year beginning boundary cornerback Riley Moss.
After buying and selling up with the Seattle Seahawks to the 83rd total choice within the 2023 draft, giving up the 108th choice in 2023 and a 2024 third-rounder that might find yourself as decide 81 total, Denver chosen the sturdy, ball-hawking Moss out of the University of Iowa. While Iowa had produced a number of stable defensive gamers over the past decade underneath defensive coordinator Phil Parker, the boundary cornerback place had been one among misfires.
Josh Jackson, Desmond King, and Michael Ojemudia had been all stable cornerbacks for Iowa in school. Still, none appeared to translate to the NFL largely as a result of scheme Iowa had run traditionally.
Plenty of stable defensive backs from the Hawkeyes had translated to security or slot such as aforementioned King, Micah Hyde, Geno Stone, Armani Hooker, and Dane Belton. Still, the boundary nook spot has been one spot the place Iowa cornerbacks had been unable to hold enjoying within the league.
Through three video games although, it does appear as if Moss is about to interrupt that pattern. Measuring at 6-foot-2, 193 kilos with great velocity at a 4.45-second 40 time, a 1.48-second 10-yard break up, a 39-inch vertical leap, and a 127-inch broad leap, Moss examined tremendously in all areas exterior of his arm size at a really quick (eighth percentile) 30 inches.
Perhaps that lack of size has proven itself a number of instances as Moss had had practically excellent protection and positioning, however the ball manages to squirt previous him for a hard-fought completion. Overall, the play on the sector has matched Moss’ athletic testing numbers.
While Moss might not have good measurable size, he has good mass for a cornerback. That has proven itself on the sector as he has been a really stable tackler by means of three video games.
Moss has been credited with 16 tackles to date this yr by way of Pro Football Focus and has missed simply two in distinction to 5 run stops. The Broncos are nonetheless awaiting Moss’ first profession interception, one thing he did 11 instances for the Hawkeyes, together with returning three for touchdowns. He did drive his first fumble final this week on a wonderful sort out.
The pattern measurement could be very small and cornerback is usually a very fickle place, however up to now, Moss has answered the decision on what is likely one of the hardest duties within the NFL: enjoying cornerback reverse arguably the most effective in soccer — Patrick Surtain II.
Despite being focused 16 instances this season, Moss has solely surrendered 100 yards and simply 30 yards after completion. These stats could seem atypical till you think about the truth that Denver is enjoying man protection as a lot as any group within the NFL exterior of Jacksonville and is blitzing on the highest charge within the league.
In different phrases, Moss will not be getting practically the assist in protection groups using extra passive rush and canopy schemes are calling, and the ramifications of a missed sort out and permitting YAC are much more dire with extra our bodies speeding in entrance of him and fewer our bodies offering assist in protection behind him.
Will Moss be capable of sustain his performances, together with being PFF’s highest graded nook in the whole NFL week 3 at 91.1? Maybe, perhaps not.
Moss has been wholesome to date this season however he missed time in school and far of his rookie season with damage. Injury on the cornerback place could be argued is extra detrimental than virtually another sport given the kind of quick-twitch open house reactionary athleticism required to play the place (and one cause play on the place tends to fall off a cliff as they age).
The Broncos have query after query on the roster getting into this season with extra uncertainty than solutions at numerous positions by means of the primary three weeks of the season. Finding a cornerback worthy of enjoying reverse Surtain may have been argued as one of the essential questions on the roster going ahead, exterior of the whole lot involving Nix and the quarterback place.
There is a number of soccer but to be performed this season. Still, the returns on Denver looking for an extra boundary cornerback on the roster (and one on a rookie contract with management by means of 2026 at that) seem like trending very positively for Moss.
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