After the Broncos acquired an additional first-round pick from the Bears in the Jay Cutler deal, the conventional wisdom was Denver would use their two first-rounders to rebuild one of the league’s worst defenses or navigate their way into picking a quarterback of the future.

Well, first-year head coach Josh McDaniels, already in hot water after his irreconcilable feud with Cutler led to the Pro Bowl quarterback’s dismissal, didn’t exactly sooth concerns with his questionable choices on Saturday.

Denver stunned observers by taking Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno with the No. 12 pick — many believed he would have still been available when the Broncos picked at No. 18. It was a reach, and McDaniels didn’t have a pressing need for a running back after signing three of them during free agency. The Broncos now have six running backs on the roster. Moreno, however, is by far the most talented of the group.

At No. 18, Denver took Tennessee DE Robert Ayers, who was widely regarded as a borderline first-round talent. He’s very raw and probably will take a year or two to develop until he becomes a reliable, consistent performer. He eventually will fit as an outside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 scheme.

Both picks have a great deal of upside, but they weren’t the home runs McDaniels needed to prove his long line of doubters wrong. These choices will lead to more questioning of McDaniels, and deservedly so.