Broncos predicted to replace starting cornerback in early 2027 mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Broncos have one of the better secondaries in the NFL heading into the 2026 season, but every good general manager and scouting department is always building toward the future.
The 2026 NFL Draft recently commenced, but it's never too soon to start talking about top prospects for one year from now. The Broncos will be looking at several key players hitting free agency following the 2026 season and one of those players is Riley Moss.
Moss is entering his fourth season with the Broncos and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He was one of the most talked-about players on the team last year, a season in which he led the NFL with 10 pass interference penalties, but many fans cut him some slack for that, as he was targeted quite often due to being on the opposite side of Pat Surtain II, widely considered the best defensive back in football.
The Broncos' front office will have a big decision to make about Moss going into the 2027 season, but much of that will likely be based on how he performs in 2026.
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Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network has already put out a three-round mock draft for next season and he seems to believe the Broncos will move on from Moss as he has them taking Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton in the first round.
"Patrick Surtain II is a lockdown CB1 for the Broncos, but Riley Moss is due for a new contract soon, and there’s a chance the Broncos move on for a younger option in the 2027 NFL Draft. The Clemson secondary houses yet another candidate in Ashton Hampton.
At 6’2″, 200 pounds, Hampton earned a stellar 85.8 PFSN CB Impact grade in 2026, while allowing just 0.8 yards per coverage snap. For his size, he’s relatively quick and fluid, with the physicality to play up to his frame", wrote Cummings.
Hampton is a tall, lanky corner who comes from a solid background, as his father is a college head coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Football is in his blood and he shows a tremendous level of potential on his game film.
In two seasons at Clemson, he has 55 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. In 2024, he returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown. He has a first-round grade from many draft analysts heading into next season and he will have a chance to put a stamp on that this coming college football season.
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Though it's early, this gives Broncos fans a couple of stories to keep an eye on during this coming football season. The contract status of Moss and a potential name to remember in Hampton.
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