Top NFL draft prospect Riley Moss may be league's next starting white cornerback: 'Obviously, I look different. I don't play different.'
INDIANAPOLIS — Riley Moss is 6-foot, 193 pounds, a possible second-round draft pick with exceptional speed, athleticism and ball-hawking, playmaking skills.
Moss also happens to be a football rarity: the white cornerback.
"Obviously, I look different," Moss, who played at Iowa, said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. "I don't play different. I'm obviously, you know, one of one, but at the same time, it doesn't really affect me. And you know, sometimes, teams will see me out there and they'll throw the ball towards my way. Absolutely. Let's go. Throw it. Throw me the ball."
The last white cornerback to regularly start in the NFL was Jason Sehorn, who started for the Giants between 1996 and 2002. There have been a few others to play snaps since, including Troy Apke and Kevin Kaesviharn.
Moss is comfortable discussing the stereotypes and the realities of recent history.
Some scouts have suggested Moss may be best served moving to safety, but Moss says he's not hearing that from teams in interview sessions here. They want him as a corner.
"Yeah, majority," Moss said. "Every team I've talked to said, you know, we think you can play corner. Asked about safety. Asked about nickel. Obviously, you want to be able to play opposition's strengths, but no, you know, for the most part, you know, every team has said, you know, we think you can play corner."
Moss is a physical freak. He hopes to run 40 yards in 4.38 seconds here in Indianapolis. He's a state champion hurdler with impressive testing in the vertical, broad jump and short shuttle.
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Moss said he understands the immense NFL challenge of "going against, you know, Tyreek Hill." But after an impressive college career with 11 interceptions, he believes in his ability to compete successfully.
"Two-star recruit coming out of high school," Moss said. "You know, I was originally coming to North Dakota State and I had no Power Five offers. You know, it's, it's always been me against the world, you know what I mean? And, you know, that's, that's, I wake up every morning and I remind myself, people don't want you here. And you know, I'm gonna go out and prove it to them."
The Dolphins could consider Moss with a second- or third-round pick, especially if incoming defensive coordinator Vic Fangio believes he could project as either a starting cornerback or a versatile weapon.
Riley Moss is a fan of Darrelle Revis
Moss, who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, said he's actually a fan of the Jets and has studied Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis.
According to scouting reports, Moss is consistent, instinctive, physical, competitive and productive. Yet even though he has a track background, Moss knows some will question his long speed.
"Yeah, you know, yeah. Yeah, it's happened," Moss said. "You know, I started five games my freshman year when I got to Iowa, and that first game was against Minnesota, you know, they tried me deep. You know, five or six times. I got two picks that game so I like it. You know, I like when, you know, they're doubting me, it's great fuel to the fire. And, you know, I think that's, you know, makes it the best part is, you know, there's so much opportunity."
Moss was asked what advice he'd give a youngster.
"I'd say you're in control of your own destiny," Moss said. "You know, a lot of people today, you know, like to have their opinion on, you know, others. I'm big believer in, you control your own destiny. You know, I'm a big goal-setter, the reason I'm here is because I set goals, and you know, in order to do that, you know, you need to write these goals down physically. So make goals and stick to those goals."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: There's only one white cornerback at the NFL Scouting Combine and it's Riley Moss of Iowa.
