Wes Welker

Broncos beat writer Mike Klis on the status of rookie WR Cody Latimer...

It's time for the Broncos to take the training wheels off Latimer, their second-round draft pick this year. Not necessarily because of problems with Caldwell and Welker as receivers. I thought Caldwell performed quite well Sunday at St. Louis in what was his first significant chance at playing time this year.

It's just that Latimer would bring some added strength, toughness and physicality to an offense where all the talk is about how it needs more strength, toughness and physicality.

The sentiment is great, but Latimer is still 4th in the pecking order behind Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Andre Caldwell, who all understand the offense and are in tune with QB Peyton Manning. At the very least, Latimer should be active while Sanders is (likely) out.