The Denver Broncos came into the season hoping to more of a focus on running the ball and after Peyton Manning threw for seven touchdowns in the season opener, many fantasy owners felt the running back committee of Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman would be cancelled out, but now it appears that one back has emerged.
Moreno got the bulk of the carries for the team over the past two weeks and he appears to be the starting option for fantasy owners after many thought it would be Ball and Hillman getting the majority of the carries. Moreno has been the most effective of the three running backs through the first two games and he has also been the most productive, as he has over 100 yards, while Hillman has just 18 and Ball has 40.
Hillman came into the season as the primary starter with Ball and Moreno backing him up, but clearly John Fox is seeing something different and he has been pushing Moreno in the offense and clearly it's working. With Peyton Manning directing things and receiving targets like Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, the running game only needs to be marginally successful and as long as it isn't "terrible", the Broncos should be fine. Fantasy owners that were hoping for big things from Ball or Hillman should get their hands on Moreno quick, as he will be snatched up now that he is the clear starter.
Moreno has 121 yards in two games and after being in the dog house behind Willis McGahee, he is now the best option and could have a season like he did as a rookie when he reached for nearly 950 yards. Over the past two seasons the Broncos have used high picks on running backs and while they like the talent they have at the position, Moreno is winning out and it could have to do with his pass blocking and his strong running, as he had 93 yards and two impressive touchdowns against the Giants on Sunday.
Moreno averaged over seven yards per carry against the Giants and on just 13 attempts he had nearly 100 yards and with production like that, eh should be the starter until one of the other backs shows they can be productive. Hillman has been a huge bust and so far Ball has not brought his scoring output from college to the pros and that could be an issue going forward. Moreno had 28 yards in the first game, but that was more about Manning being great and with him making six catches over the first two games, he could be a threat in PPR leagues as well.
