Kellen Moore’s first year as a head coach looked bleak early, but a 5-4 close to the year has optimism high for the New Orleans Saints. While that turnaround is typically connected to Tyler Shough taking over at quarterback, going to Shough sooner isn’t one of Moore’s regrets. It’s not getting DeVaughn Vele in the fold earlier that bothers the head coach.
Going into the year, Moore described Vele as “having a defined role.” He acknowledged the latter was one of the bigger challenges last year. Moore described it as “something that I took reflection on trying to get him in that situation sooner last year, but he has a great role now. And I think it’s going to be a really awesome opportunity for him.”
Vele’s lack of inclusion early in the season was a head scratcher. New Orleans traded too much for Vele for him to barely see any targets. He finished the season with just 25 catches for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games. 19 catches, 239 yards and a touchdown came in his last four games of the season. Beyond the stats, Vele made critical plays in games that showed he could be a key playmaker moving forward.
Devaughn Vele should be in line for a career year
If Moore can correct that mistake, Vele could be in line for a career season. That's true even with the addition of Jordyn Tyson. As WR3, it wouldn't be surprising to see Vele surpass 500 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. That would set new career highs in yards and touchdowns.
Vele and Tyler Shough already showed themselves to have chemistry, and like with other receivers, it'll be about building on that chemistry. Vele became a reliable target for Shough on third downs and made some notable third and long receptions. It's that trust that should help Vele reach those career numbers despite a slight dip in the pecking order.
In order to make it happen, Moore is going to have to fix another flaw the offense had in 2025. Too frequently, the unit relied on two wide receivers. Even with the investments before the season, it was still the Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed show. Brandin Cooks was the third option at the position, but never became a focal point.
It wasn't until Cooks and Shaheed were gone that Vele got his moment. He fully took advantage of it, but he's back to third in the wide receiver rotation. If last year's trend continues, the receiving options will be Olave, Tyson and tight end Juwan Johnson. It doesn't need to be. Vele and Johnson can both have games where they're the third receiving option. There will even be games where one of them rises above the third option.
Regardless, getting Vele involved in the offense quicker and more frequently is important. The big bodied receiver role he occupied last year is his same value to the team this year.
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