Broncos Trade Devaughn Vele to Saints

Denver sends Devaughn Vele to New Orleans as Sean Payton reshapes the Saints receiving corps.

Broncos Trade Devaughn Vele to Saints

The Broncos have traded wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the Saints in exchange for a pair of draft picks: a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder, a move reported by league sources and confirmed by team announcements. Vele, 27, was Denver’s second-most used receiver last season, posting 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns on roughly half of the team’s offensive snaps. He is under contract through 2027, setting a long-term, low-cost option for New Orleans.

New Orleans entered 2024 with injuries to its top receivers and finished the year short on reliable options. Olave and Shaheed both dealt with injuries, while Brandin Cooks joined the mix in free agency. With the quarterback position unsettled, the Saints add a 6-foot-5 target who can grow alongside a returning core. Denver, meanwhile, gains breathing room at the position as rookies Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant push for a larger role behind Sutton and a reshaped depth chart. The trade closes a chapter on Vele’s rookie year and opens an opportunity for two young Broncos to take bigger steps in 2025.

This deal highlights a broader trend in how teams value late-round hits and cost-controlled talent. New Orleans prioritizes size and depth, pairing Olave and Shaheed with a longer view of the receiving corps and a reliable catching option on the outside. Denver appears to be betting on its younger room to grow into meaningful roles, a common byproduct when a team has a crowded depth chart. The move also reflects Payton’s tendency to assemble a cast around a clear top weapon while rotating supplementary pieces, a strategy that can keep a unit fresh through a long season. If Franklin and Bryant progress as hoped, Denver could recover the value of this pick package through 2026 and beyond.

Highlights

Football seasons change fast; this trade is a reminder that patience with young talent often drives the next chapter.