Broncos took RB Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick. (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

While many people may have been surprised to see the Broncos take RB Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick (the first time the Broncos had taken a running back in the first round since 1985), it should not have surprised anyone that Denver’s choice came from the University of Georgia.

Moreno became the third former Bulldog to join the Broncos since 1995, joining Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary. Davis, a former MVP, totaled 7,607 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Broncos, while Gary rushed for over 1,000 yards in his 1999 rookie campaign. Moreno said that he was well aware of the Broncos recent tradition with Georgia running backs (via the Broncos’ official website).

“You know, Terrell Davis was a Georgia guy, late rounder, but he really blossomed. And I think a lot of that comes from how he was coached. Especially with (Running backs coach) Bobby Turner and the staff that was there. So I’m really excited to work with (Turner) and I can’t wait.”

The Broncos think Moreno possesses the same type of pass-catching ability out of the backfield that made Davis such an effective and versatile running back.

“He catches the ball extremely well — he has very good hands,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said of Moreno.

“So certainly on third down as the player grows in our system and he becomes more comfortable with what we are doing, I think he could definitely give us that versatility.”

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