Bust doesn’t even begin to describe Cody Latimer‘s performance with the Denver Broncos up to this point — and don’t cite a couple special teams tackles as justification for his second-round selection.
In two seasons, Latimer, who was selected 56th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft ahead of Pro Bowlers like Allen Robinson and Jarvis Landry, has caught a grand total of eight receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown. Whether it’s his talent, his work ethic or his ability to understand the playbook, something hasn’t clicked for Latimer, and this has now become a make-or-break offseason for the Indiana product.
Behind the likes of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, it’s clear Latimer doesn’t have any chance of earning a starting role, but the third wide receiver gig is wide open, with Latimer, Jordan Norwood, Bennie Fowler and Jordan “Sunshine” Taylor all competing for the job.
And while it’s Latimer with the pedigree, the other three wideouts have shown the production (or earned the respect of Peyton Manning, in the case of Taylor), meaning that he’ll have to really step up and prove himself in training camp.
Gary Kubiak believes he’s up for the challenge.
“I think he’s on his way to doing that, he’s behind two great players,” Kubiak said, via ESPN.com. “And my position with him has always been ‘Cody, guys at your position do one of two things, some guys sit there and say ‘Heck, I’m not going to pass up those two great guys’ or some guys say ‘I’m going to be better’,’ and he’s taken the working approach to it. Now it’s got to transfer to the field. I think Cody mentally having a better understanding of the big picture offensively of what you’re trying to do his job, it’s allowing his talents to take over more.”
John Elway has shown in the past that he’s not afraid to cut bait with a failed selection — just ask Montee Ball. If Latimer doesn’t take major strides in the next few months, don’t be surprised if he’s asked to turn in his iPad and playbook before the end of training camp.