Broncos urged to sign $89M Pro Bowler amid Riley Moss injury

Getty

Riley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos leaves the field with an injury against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Denver Broncos appear to have avoided the worst when it comes to starting cornerback Riley Moss. Broncos head coach Sean Payton downplayed the significance of the injury Moss suffered during the Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The scare, however, was a reminder of the questionable depth behind Moss and fellow starter Pat Surtain II.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested signing four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard.

“(Moss) has been a big part of the team’s success this season and Levi Wallace had to finish the game,” Ballentine wrote on 25 November. “After the game, Denver head coach Sean Payton told the media that the injury was not serious, but it still wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Broncos to keep an eye on outside options.

“Xavien Howard remains the top cornerback who doesn’t have a team right now. If he’s healthy, he’d be able to come in and give them a better chance not to miss a beat if Patrick Surtain II or Moss fell.”

A second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Howard was released with a failed physical designation in February but is fully healthy.

He was a First Team All-Pro in 2020 after leads the league with 10 interceptions. But Howard has 7 picks in his three seasons since thenhowever. He had a five-year, $90 million deal when the Dolphins released him and has earned $89 million in his career, per Over The Cap.

Xavien Howard’s story a potential red flag for the Broncos

GettyFormer Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard #25 runs onto the field before facing the Dallas Cowboys.

Howard has made headlines for non-football reasons on several occasions in recent months.

The accusations against Howard in his career range from home battery to send sexually explicit material to a minor in a night of revenge against the child’s mother.

He worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals on November 11, but went without a contract, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

It doesn’t help that his play has also limped off in recent seasons.

Howard posted grades of 59.2 in 2022 and 55.1 in 2023, the two lowest grades of his eight-year career, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed completion percentages of 59.5% and 62.1% respectively in his coverage in those seasons.

The Broncos still have Damarri Mathis, who has started 17 of 38 games played in his three-year careerso they are not desperate.

They also have Tremon Smith, who has started five games but has played in 95 inches seven seasons.

Sean Payton optimistic about Riley Moss

GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos reacts after an injury in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Every time you lose one of your top corners, it changes things,” Payton told reporters on 24 November. “We still had our (Brock) Bowers plan involving Pat and in some doubles. But lo and behold, Levi came in and that was the next man up. And luckily it wasn’t really serious with Riley.

“It’s an MCL … we’ll see how next week (goes). There was some thought that he might go back in, so we’ll see where that is.”

Moss got the starting job opposite Surtain in the preseason.

He is the most targeted defensive player in the NFL with 82 passes thrown in his direction, per Pro Football Reference. Brandon Stephens of the Baltimore Ravens is second with 73 targets in 11 games, one fewer than Moss and the Broncos.

Two other players have faced at least 70 targets in their coverage this season.

Moss has allowed a lower completion percentage than everyone except Jaylon Jones of the Indianapolis Colts.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines on FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter