New Orleans Saints Pull Off Smart Move, Trading For Denver Broncos WR Devaughn Vele

Sometimes the best trades happen when nobody’s looking. While everyone was busy dissecting preseason quarterback battles and roster bubble players, the New Orleans Saints quietly pulled off what might be their smartest move of the offseason. They snagged Wide Receiver Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder. How will this deal work out for all sides?

Who Is Devaughn Vele and Why Should You Care?

Vele isn’t your typical seventh-round afterthought who disappears faster than a hot dog at a tailgate. The 27-year-old Utah product actually showed up and showed out during his rookie season in Denver. In 13 games, he hauled in 41 catches for 475 yards and 3 touchdowns.

But here’s the kicker: Vele posted a ridiculous 74.5% catch rate. For context, that is the kind of efficiency that makes offensive coordinators wake up in cold sweats, wishing they had more reliable targets. The dude simply catches what comes his way, which is apparently a lost art in today’s NFL.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 210 pounds, Vele brings the kind of size that makes defensive coordinators nervous in the red zone. Remember that Week 12 performance against the Raiders when he snagged six balls for 80 yards? That wasn’t a fluke. It was a preview of what happens when you give this guy consistent opportunities.

Saints Address Their Biggest Need

Let’s be brutally honest about New Orleans’ situation. They’re walking into the season with a quarterback battle that makes a coin flip look decisive. Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are battling for the starting job, and neither exactly screams “proven commodity.” When you are dealing with that kind of uncertainty under center, you’d better surround your quarterbacks with weapons who can make their lives easier.

Enter Vele, who brings exactly what rookie quarterbacks need: reliability and size. His 6-foot-5 frame creates a massive catch radius, essentially giving inexperienced quarterbacks a bigger target to hit. Plus, that 74.5% catch rate means when they do find him, he is actually going to come down with the football.

The Saints already had some decent pieces with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed leading the way, plus the veteran presence of Brandin Cooks. But adding Vele gives them another dimension. A big-bodied target who can work the middle of the field and create mismatches in the red zone.

Denver’s Perspective Makes Sense Too

Before you start thinking the Broncos got fleeced, let’s pump the brakes. Denver had some legitimate depth at receiver with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Troy Franklin already locked into roles. They also used a third-round pick on Pat Bryant in April’s draft, signaling they were ready to move on from some existing pieces.

Getting a fourth and seventh-round pick for a player who might have been on the roster bubble isn’t terrible business. Sometimes it is better to get something than watch a guy walk away for nothing. Even Broncos Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi was singing Vele’s praises just hours before the trade went down, calling him versatile and praising his route-running ability. That is not exactly what you say about a guy you’re desperate to dump.

The Bigger Picture For New Orleans

This move fits perfectly into what the Saints are trying to do. They know they’re not winning the Super Bowl this year. But in the historically weak NFC South, stranger things have happened than a team sneaking into the playoffs with solid fundamentals and a few lucky breaks.

By adding Vele, they are giving their young quarterbacks every possible chance to succeed. Whether it’s Rattler or Shough under center, they now have a reliable target who can bail them out of trouble and provide a safety valve when plays break down. The timing also makes sense. Getting Vele integrated before Week 1 gives the Saints time to work him into their offensive system and build chemistry with whoever ends up starting at quarterback.

What This Means Moving Forward

Don’t expect Vele to transform into the next Michael Thomas overnight. What he can do is provide steady, reliable production while the Saints figure out their long-term plans. His age (27) means he’s entering his prime years, and his skill set should age well.

For fantasy football nerds, Vele becomes an interesting deep sleeper pick. If the Saints’ passing offense clicks at all, he could easily surpass his rookie numbers and become a legitimate contributor. The real test comes when the Saints open their season hosting the Arizona Cardinals on September 7. That is when we will see if this under-the-radar move pays dividends or if it’s just another footnote in what could be a long season in New Orleans.