Broncos predicted to ship Riley Moss to AFC North team for Day 2 draft pick

Could the Denver Broncos move on from Riley Moss this offseason?

That is a common idea for this team since using its first-round pick on Jahdae Barron last season. Barron was brought along slowly as a rookie, but it's hard to see him getting much more playing time in 2026 as long as Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian are both still on the roster. 

Moss is a much better player than nearly anyone is willing to give him credit for. He holds his own in pass coverage and only draws as many flags as he does, to the ire of many in Broncos Country, because of how many times the opposition takes shots at him as Pat Surtain II is on the other side of the field. 

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report feels he could be sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 85 overall). 

"Nothing about what the Steelers have done this offseason has pointed toward a patient rebuild. They hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, they're hoping to get Aaron Rodgers back for another season.

So, when it comes to finding a cornerback who can finally fill the gap across from Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers could get aggressive and use one of their three picks in the third round to get a veteran.

Riley Moss would be the ideal target. He's coming off a breakout season with the Broncos in which he had 19 passes defended. However, he's also on the final year of his rookie contract and the Broncos have a lot of money in Patrick Surtain II and Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings.

If they don't plan on giving Moss a huge extension, it might make more sense to free up the role for Barron and get a nice draft pick in exchange.

The Steelers would still have multiple picks in the third round and get another defender to give them a chance at an elite defense next season", wrote Balletine. 

Broncos predicted to trade Riley Moss to Steelers

One of the Broncos' current strengths is its secondary, so it's hard to advise the team to chip away at that. However, the team will need to find a more prominent role for Barron this coming season and that is going to come at the expense of someone. 

If the team could get a third-round pick for Moss, a player it drafted in the third round in 2023, it would have to be considered. Getting a same-round pick back three years later is difficult to do in today's league. 

With the Broncos looking for added offensive talent this offseason, that extra pick could give them a chance to grab a prospect with upside at either wide receiver, tight end or running back. 

Still, it would be difficult to let go of Moss as his best football could easily be in front of him, as he has started to get comfortable in Denver. The Broncos' defense is what has led the team to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and the team needs to do what it can to keep that mostly intact. 

MORE: Broncos would have to kick tires on Alvin Kamara if this predicted trade is available

But with Moss entering the final year of his contract and the Broncos having to decide whether to extend him or let him test free agency next year, a deal like this, if offered, would also be tough to ignore. 

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