Broncos HC Gary Kubiak ‘Really, Really’ Likes WR Cody Latimer
The mystique of Denver Broncos second-year receiver Cody Latimer continues to grow at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. After just a handful of snaps with the offense this past season, Latimer is expected to see a significant increase in his role in year two after the impending departure of Wes Welker and possibly Julius Thomas.
Latimer is a big, fast, physical receiver whom John Elway called the best blocker in last year’s draft. The Broncos traded multiple picks to move up in the second round and select him, but they weren’t the only team that liked the former Indiana Hoosiers star athlete.
Apparently, the love for Latimer reached to Baltimore, where Gary Kubiak was the team’s offensive coordinator and helped court players last offseason. Kubiak mentioned his pre-draft visits with Latimer, and offered his opinion of the young Broncos prospect.
Kubiak on WR C. Latimer “I spent a whole day w/ him in Balt. (pre-’14 draft), we really, really liked him. I think a lot of his ability.’'
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) February 18, 2015
That’s a good endorsement from the Broncos’ new head coach, who will certainly be finding a place for Latimer in the team’s new offense. The Broncos will tailor the offense to suit Peyton Manning’s skills (assuming he’s still coming back) and that means there will be plenty of throwing the football downfield.
With Latimer’s ability to stretch a defense deep also comes his ability to block, as I previously mentioned. That’s another huge plus for the youngster because of the expectation that the Broncos will be a primarily run-oriented team, led by Pro Bowler C.J. Anderson.
The Broncos will still have to find ways to work in three-wide receiver sets with Latimer, Demaryius Thomas, and Emmanuel Sanders, and I think they will do plenty of those types of things. They will exploit matchups through the passing game and Latimer can be a huge part of that.
Watching Latimer at last year’s training camp practices, you could tell he was well on his way to being a star in the NFL someday. I was shocked by his limited reps this past season, especially as the Broncos transitioned to a run-first offense. That said, I think he’ll emerge this season and has obviously got a strong backing from the man in charge.