A processor and method for out-of-order execution of instructions are disclosed which fetch a first and a second instruction, wherein the first instruction precedes the second instruction in a program order. A determination is made whether execution of the second instruction is subject to execution of the first instruction. In response to a determination that execution of the second instruction is subject to execution of the first instruction, the second instruction is selectively executed prior to the first instruction in response to a parameter of at least one of the first and second instructions. In one embodiment, the parameter is an execution latency parameter of the first and second instructions.