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Bronco Rob · #1 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2009

While it seemed obvious on NFL draft day that first-round pick Knowshon Moreno would end up the latest Denver Broncos running back to run for 1,000-yard glory in his debut season, the team remains cautious in its stance with the 12th overall pick. It still is only June, and teams are running organized team activities, not real games, but Moreno is listed third on the team depth chart behind Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan.

"I'm just learning," Moreno told The Denver Post. "They've been in the league eight or nine years. Coming behind them and learning from them and maybe one day making my way up there is awesome."

Moreno is, of course, saying all the right things, but he has the ability to be a starting NFL running back and fantasy monster pretty much out of the gate, and fantasy owners should remember the Mike Shanahan era is over in Denver. New coach Josh McDaniels might be playing favorites with his veterans at this point and might not be so apt to make lineup changes on the fly, without warning and often defying explanation. Moreno's being third on the depth chart also might be short-lived, but fantasy owners need to be a bit cautious if they're drafting anytime soon. Moreno is ranked 29th at running back by ESPN Fantasy, so we aren't assuming the rookie will go bonkers in 2009.

McDaniels could work the rookie slowly into the lineup because he does have other assets at his disposal. Buckhalter has never carried the load as the starter, but he did average 4.9 yards per carry as the Eagles' second option in 2008, and he's been relatively injury free the past three seasons. Jordan, who worked with McDaniels in New England last season, has had one big NFL season, when he ran for 1,000 yards, caught 70 passes and scored 11 touchdowns for the 2005 Raiders. He likely will be more of a goal-line back at 30 years old, but who knows. Without Moreno, the Broncos seemed set to use some combination of Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington (since released), Jordan, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. Moreno could trump them all or be used sparingly in September.

Knowshon Moreno not guaranteed to be the man for the Denver Broncos - ESPN

broncogirl · #2 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco Rob

While it seemed obvious on NFL draft day that first-round pick Knowshon Moreno would end up the latest Denver Broncos running back to run for 1,000-yard glory in his debut season, the team remains cautious in its stance with the 12th overall pick. It still is only June, and teams are running organized team activities, not real games, but Moreno is listed third on the team depth chart behind Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan.

"I'm just learning," Moreno told The Denver Post. "They've been in the league eight or nine years. Coming behind them and learning from them and maybe one day making my way up there is awesome."

Moreno is, of course, saying all the right things, but he has the ability to be a starting NFL running back and fantasy monster pretty much out of the gate, and fantasy owners should remember the Mike Shanahan era is over in Denver. New coach Josh McDaniels might be playing favorites with his veterans at this point and might not be so apt to make lineup changes on the fly, without warning and often defying explanation. Moreno's being third on the depth chart also might be short-lived, but fantasy owners need to be a bit cautious if they're drafting anytime soon. Moreno is ranked 29th at running back by ESPN Fantasy, so we aren't assuming the rookie will go bonkers in 2009.

McDaniels could work the rookie slowly into the lineup because he does have other assets at his disposal. Buckhalter has never carried the load as the starter, but he did average 4.9 yards per carry as the Eagles' second option in 2008, and he's been relatively injury free the past three seasons. Jordan, who worked with McDaniels in New England last season, has had one big NFL season, when he ran for 1,000 yards, caught 70 passes and scored 11 touchdowns for the 2005 Raiders. He likely will be more of a goal-line back at 30 years old, but who knows. Without Moreno, the Broncos seemed set to use some combination of Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington (since released), Jordan, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. Moreno could trump them all or be used sparingly in September.

Knowshon Moreno not guaranteed to be the man for the Denver Broncos - ESPN

If Knowshon Moreno can't beat out LaMont Jordan we are doomed

I would trade LaMont Jordan back to Oakland today