Cody Latimer’s career didn’t start how he hoped it would.

His production in four seasons with the Broncos reflected the amount — or lack thereof — of effort he put into becoming an impactful wide receiver. The bright lights and loaded paychecks took away from Latimer’s focus on his game, leaving him so far behind he was actually kicked off the field a handful of times.

But Latimer said he feels lucky to have familiar faces, like fellow receiver Bennie Fowler and wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, who stuck by him from his difficulties in Denver to his new hopes for success with the Giants. And in the midst of all the chaos from a wave of injuries and mishaps to the Giants’ first-string receivers — Sterling Shepard has a broken thumb, Golden Tate is suspended for the first four games and Corey Coleman is done for the year after tearing his ACL — Latimer is following the lead of his teammates.

“We’re just a bunch of hungry guys,” Latimer said before practice Wednesday. “Bennie and Russell [Shepard] are so humble and just so hungry. Watching them every day and the excitement they bring, it motivates me. Me and Bennie have been competing for years now and to see him never slouch, every day is always bringing it and always hungry.”

Fowler was someone Latimer depended on while with the Broncos, along with his wife, Jamie, and now 4-year-old son, Jacoby. Latimer has shifted his priorities off the field, realizing in order for him to take care of his family, he has to take care of things on the field.

But Fowler’s influence has always been there, with the two being teammates for the past six years.

“[Fowler is] a guy that can play all of the positions. Typically, he plays outside but there’s times where he’ll be in the slot,” head coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s smart, he has good instincts, he picks things up quickly. You saw we’ve had some receiver injuries within practice and he’s been able to [move from slot to the outside and back], so that flexibility is important.”

Fowler, an undrafted Michigan State product, credits his versatility to working in Denver with Peyton Manning, who often would call plays without a huddle, forcing everyone to better understand the concept of their position rather than the exact play.

Serving as a flexible receiver is something Fowler has done his entire career. Along with prioritizing his health to ensure the Giants don’t drop another receiver, becoming a go-to guy is a goal for Fowler.

“Just an opportunity. We don’t know what’s going to go on with Golden, but we know [Sterling Shepard is] going to be back,” Fowler said. “It’ll be Cody, [Russell Shepard] and Sterling out there, just like how we finished the Dallas Cowboys game last year.”

Eli Manning also views the deficit at receiver as an opportunity, for not only the younger guys but for players like Latimer and Fowler. He hopes to see a variety of players step up and fulfill the “next man up” mentality.

Latimer, in particular, is someone Manning thought was on the verge of becoming a difference-making asset.

“I thought Cody had a great offseason last year. Coming into the season he was going to play well,” Manning said Tuesday. “Unfortunately, he had the injury and missed a lot of time, but came back that last game and played really well versus Dallas.

“I think he’s come up strong. He can really run, he knows all of his assignments, he’s dialed into what we are doing and he’s made some nice plays for us. He’s a big target who can also stretch the field and he’s having a great camp so far.”

Heading into his sixth season in the NFL, Latimer is ready to make the most of his opportunity with the Giants. Because each night after training camp he’s coming home to his wife and son, who likes to play with Latimer in his toy grocery store, knowing what he has to play for.

“I was glad I was able to come back and finish strong, obviously get another year here,” Latimer said. “It was more of — I feel like I owe the Giants and the fans and myself this year.”