Ayers Arrives at Dove Valley

The Broncos on Monday officially announced the signing of outside linebacker/defensive end Robert Ayers, whom they selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Ayers, the 18th overall selection in April's draft, started 14 games at Tennessee before joining the pro circuit. The 6-foot-3, 274-pounder lead the Volunteers in tackles for a loss during each of his final two years with the program, totaling 27.5 tackles for negative yardage over that stretch.

As a senior in 2008, Ayers earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors after leading the conference with 15.5 tackles for a loss in addition to pacing the team’s defensive line with 49 tackles.

Ayers began his collegiate career at Tennessee playing outside linebacker before making the switch to defensive end as a redshirt freshman. Now, Ayers is prepared to play both roles -- and possibly others -- during his first season with the orange and blue. He will likely do plenty of moving around in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's 3-4 scheme. According to Ayers, his role could fluctuate. He might be rushing from the nickel package at defensive end. If it's a base package, he could be at outside linebacker. At other times, he may be lined up at defensive tackle.

"This is a perfect defense for me," Ayers said. "Out of all 32 teams -- I’m not with the other teams -- but I don’t think there could be a better match for me. The way I play and the things I do well fit perfectly with this defense."

Only Knowshon Moreno remains unsigned.