Feb. 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CT
Wide receiver was a big problem for the New Orleans Saints in 2024 and an equally large question heading into 2025. In hopes of bolstering the position, the Saints swung a preseason trade to acquire Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos. In exchange for Vele, New Orleans dealt a 2026 fourth-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection.
A seventh round draft pick by the Broncos in 2024 out of Utah, Vele had a promising rookie season with 41 catches and 475 yards. He was also a big-bodied target, something that was noticeably absent in the offense of new head coach Kellen Moore. Vele was expected to fill a major need for the Saints as a reliable intermediate weapon.
Devaughn Vele Year in ReviewPosition: Wide receiverAge: 28Height: 6-feet, 5 inchesWeight: 210 poundsNFL experience: 2 years (1st with Saints)2025 season: 13 games (7 starts)
New Orleans had a ton of speed at wideout to start the year with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks. While Olave and Shaheed were effective early on, Cooks did not have his expected impact. As a late addition to the roster, it was expected that Vele would take some time to settle into the offense. However, his lack of usage for several weeks was beyond mind-boggling.
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Vele was targeted twice with 1 catch for 13 yards in the season opener and got the official start in Week 2. However, his offensive reps were highly inconsistent, raising questions why the team even traded for him. Over his first eight games, Vele averaged just 19 offensive snaps and saw only 10 targets, catching 5 balls for 39 yards.
It wasn’t until Tyler Shough took over as starting quarterback, Shaheed was traded, and Cooks released when we’d see Vele become a bigger part of the offense. Shough and Vele had clear chemistry. The rookie often looked to the big target in key situations. Over a five-game stretch later in the year, Vele saw an average of 57 offensive snaps and was targeted 29 times. He’d pull in 20 receptions for 254 yards in that span, providing exactly the spark that was hoped at the time of the trade.
Unfortunately, Vele missed the last three games of the year with a shoulder injury. Vele finished his season with 25 receptions, 293 yards, and 2 touchdowns on 437 offensive snaps. Those aren’t impressive numbers for a year, but has a different feel when you consider his production with Shough. Vele was especially strong on contested throws in high-traffic areas, something the Saints could build around this offseason.
New Orleans will most likely add a wide receiver in the first or second day of the draft. And they should. With Olave and Vele returning and newly acquired Ja’Lynn Polk back from injury, the Saints already have a solid core at the position.