Cody Latimer hoping to finally show he is a legitimate NFL wide receiver

Who is No. 3? That is the question for the New York Giants when it comes to the wide receiver position. Coming out of the spring the favorite would have to be Cody Latimer, signed as a free agent this offseason after four less-than-stellar years with the Denver Broncos.

Let’s look at what the Giants hope Latimer brings to them as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster.

The basics

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 215
Position: WR
Experience: 4

2017 season in review

Latimer had the best season of his four-year career as a wide receiver. Truthfully, though, it wasn’t all that impressive. He had 19 catches for 287 yards (15.1 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. A former second-round pick, he ended his four years with the Denver Broncos with only 35 receptions. Latimer also returned 8 kickoffs, averaging 23.8 yards on returns.

An excellent gunner on punt coverage, Latimer had 5 tackles and a fumble recovery for Denver last season.

2018 outlook

Last month, Latimer told Tom Rock of Newsday that the lack of success in Denver was his own fault:

“I have nobody to blame but myself,” the new Giants receiver, acquired in free agency this offseason, told Newsday on Monday after the team’s first OTA. “I honestly wasn’t prepared. I took it for granted. I had to learn over the years . . . I learned how to be a pro. I don’t regret anything. It showed me how quick you can get out of here. I got a family to support and I couldn’t let that happen so I had to figure it out the hard way.”

Latimer has a chance to change that with the Giants.

The Giants have Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. They parted ways with Brandon Marshall and Dwayne Harris, though, and did not draft a wide receiver. They have no obvious third wide receiver, unless you pencil Latimer into that role. He worked extensively with the first team during spring practices.

At 6-2, 215 pounds, Latimer offers size that only Evan Engram offers among Giants expected to be regular contributors as pass catchers. He has only three touchdown catches in his career, but did show some ability during the spring to go up and get the ball on fades and contested routes in the red zone.

Latimer figures to get opportunities as a receiver and kickoff returner, and to continue to be a critical player on special teams coverage units.