Some may not have believed Broncos coach Josh McDaniels when he hinted on Friday that his team had priority needs other than on defense with its two first-round draft picks.
McDaniels didn’t waste any time, selecting Georgia tailback Knowshon Moreno at No. 12, but also attempted to fortify the defense by taking 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end Robert Ayers of Tennessee with the No. 18 pick.
Moreno becomes the first running back taken by Denver in the first round since 1985, when Steve Sewell was picked at No. 26 out of Oklahoma.
Listed at 5-feet-10 1/2 and 217 pounds, the New Jersey native rushed for 1,400 yards in 2008 and 1,334 in 2007.
Although most mock drafts had the Broncos selecting a defensive player with their first pick, “I thought there was a slight chance (I might go to Denver),” Moreno said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Speaking to reporters via phone at the Broncos’ Dove Valley headquarters, Moreno said he couldn’t be more excited.
“When I got the phone call (from the Broncos), I was so happy,” Moreno said. “I can’t wait to get there. I’m looking forward to working with (Broncos running backs coach) Bobby Turner. He has coached some great running backs.”
Moreno called himself “a hard-nosed runner who can make you miss at times. I’m a competitor.”
Signing a contract and attending Broncos mini-camps is a priority, Moreno said.
“That’s one of my goals,” he said. “I want to be on time. I want to work. I want to be with my teammates.”
Ayers was thought all along to be one of three Broncos targets on defense, along with LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson (No. 3, Kansas City) and Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji (No. 9, Green Bay).
The Broncos were looking for a stout, pass-rushing defensive end for their new 3-4 defense. Ayers recorded three sacks and 14 tackles for losses in 2008.
Ayers could play either 5-technique defensive end or pass-rush outside linebacker.
Ayers appeared in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2005, but was suspended from the team after being charged with aggravated assault. Charges were later reduced to misdemeanor assault.
Ayers became a fulltime starter in 2008, and broke through for 49 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
He was a first-team all-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and second-Team by the Associated Press as a senior. Named the Senior Bowl’s outstanding defensive player after making three tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Ayers is athletic and versatile. He could stand to add some upper body strength.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
