Broncos Send Former Utah WR To Saints For Draft Pick Compensation
Aug 20, 2025, 5:14 PM | Updated: Aug 21, 2025, 11:59 am
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 05: Devaughn Vele #17 of the Denver Broncos celebrates in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on January 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Denver Broncos are sending second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for draft pick compensation.
The Broncos will receive a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection for the 2024 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Ian Rapaport first reported the deal on Wednesday, August 20.
TRADE 🚨
The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos in exchange for future considerations ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/ELO3i7jhDH
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 20, 2025
Vele played 13 games as a rookie. He ended the season with 41 catches for 475 yards and three touchdowns while playing alongside rookie QB Bo Nix.
He was targeted twice but did not make a catch in Denver’s postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Vele gives his team additional youth and depth.
“Really good player, really good person, had a productive year last year in Denver,” Moore began. “We felt like it was a great opportunity for us to get a younger guy that’s still developing and growing, and it’ll be great for our team.”
About Devaughn Vele
Before his time at the University of Utah, the San Diego, California native was a standout player at Rancho Bernardo High School.
After high school, Vele joined the Utes ahead of the 2019 season.
Even if DeVaughn Vele is the “odd man out,” his profile is more valuable to us as a team with Super Bowl aspirations than what we would receive for him in a trade #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/WMeDWoUOmk
— Kodiak Broncos (@KodiakBroncos) August 20, 2025
He went on to play five seasons at Utah. During his time in Salt Lake City, Vele recorded 123 receptions for 1,689 yards and nine touchdowns in 47 games played.
Eight of Vele’s touchdowns came in his final two seasons at Utah.
The wideout helped the Utes win consecutive Pac-12 Conference championships in 2021 and 2022.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
