Sep 15, 2012; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Cody Latimer (3) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Ball State Cardinals at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US Presswire

When the Denver Broncos drafted Cody Latimer, it was obvious they were implementing a bit of a change at the wide receiver position. With Eric Decker, the Broncos had a reliable target who knew the offense and who had developed chemistry with Peyton Manning.

The Broncos flat out let Decker walk.

In a deep class at wide receiver, it was clear the Broncos would find some way to replace Decker though not many expected it to be as early as it was. With Latimer still on the board in the 2nd round, the Broncos felt strongly enough about him that they decided to trade up to get him, and the early returns have been really positive.

Coming into the NFL with the same foot injury that dropped Demaryius Thomas down the board to the Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft, Latimer also probably fell a bit in the draft due to the fact that he played his college ball at Indiana. There’s nothing wrong with the Hoosier football program, it’s just a little unexpected that a potential first round receiver would come out of that school.

Latimer gave himself a pretty hard grade after the first day of training camp, but according to Broncos Insider Cecil Lammey, he has the potential to be a great player and he’s showing that early on.

Rookie Cody Latimer looks like a star in the making. He was dominant at times today, and hooked up with Osweiler for what was the play of the day. Latimer beat both Duke Ihenacho and Webster to haul in a deep pass over the middle for a touchdown. He set up his route perfectly and found himself running in the wide open field after the catch. Latimer is so good, it will be difficult to keep him off the field. He can also sky for passes in the end zone as well.

What’s more is the Broncos identified Latimer as the best blocking receiver in the draft. Not that his NFL career will be defined by his ability to block, but his natural ability to catch passes as well as his speed, physicality, and overall athleticism entice me to believe that the Broncos simply have another Demaryius Thomas on their hands.

That’s lofty praise for what many believe to be a top five receiver in the league, but Latimer clearly has that potential. There were rumors prior to the draft that he would be a first round pick, even going as high as the Philadelphia Eagles. That obviously didn’t happen, and it’s already sounding like the Broncos will be the ones having the last laugh.