The Broncos continue to negotiate with their two first-round draft picks — running back Knowshon Moreno of Georgia and defensive end-linebacker Robert Ayers of Tennessee — but have yet to close the deals. In fact, few first- rounders in the NFL have signed.

Moreno, selected 12th overall, and Ayers (18th) were the only rookies who did not report Monday to the team’s Dove Valley complex. Moreno was at the Georgia campus Monday.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said the largely rookies-only workouts this week are important, but that Moreno and Ayers would really start to lose ground if they missed time Friday and beyond. The Broncos will make daily installations on offense and defense starting with Friday’s practices.

“Once we install something on Friday, we’re not going to install it again on Saturday,” McDaniels said. “Once we install it on Saturday, we’re not going install it again on Sunday. As any player, any competitor, would understand, as you start putting things in and start putting responsibilities on players if they miss those meetings, those sessions and those practices, they’re going to have some work to catch up.”

With the plethora of running backs on the Broncos roster, is it Moreno’s job to lose?
– Rudy D., Plano, Texas

Rudy – It’s Moreno’s job, period. The first running back selected in the draft, as Moreno was when the Broncos nabbed him with their No. 12 overall pick, is expected to have a big rookie season.

A big year for Moreno, though, could be 800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving. McDaniels’ offense, remember, will predominantly operate out of the shotgun. Not many shotgun-oriented teams have 25-carry-a-game tailbacks.

Moreno probably won’t start during the preseason and Buckhalter may even start many games during the regular season. By midseason, though, expect opponents to focus their game plan around stopping the rookie from Georgia.

(Mike Klis denver post column)