With the offseason additions of Travis Etienne, Noah Fant, Jordyn Tyson, and several other offensive playmakers, most of the attention has shifted to the newcomers. However, New Orleans wide receiver Devaughn Vele shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Saints were in dire need of help at wide receiver and part of the solution was trading for Devaughn Vele. The Saints acquired him from the Denver Broncos, weeks before the 2025 season in exchange for draft picks, hoping he could add depth and be a key piece of the team’s future.
Vele finished the 2025 campaign on a strong note, emerging as the Saints number two receiver before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Now entering the 2026 season, with more talent surrounding him, Vele is in prime position to make a big leap and put together a breakout year.
Devaughn Vele should taken advantage of the attention placed on Saints' other wide receivers
Devaughn Vele finished the 2026 campaign with 25 receptions, 293 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Even though his overall output seems minor at a glance, most of his production came late in the year. He saw very limited playing time throughout the majority of the season, making it difficult to make his mark.
Vele's role expanded significantly after the trade deadline. He developed a strong chemistry with quarterback Tyler Shough and showed the organization why they acquired him before the season.
Vele will enter 2026 with a more defined role than he had a year ago. Thanks to the Saints offseason additions on offense, he will have the luxury of operating out of the slot on three wide receiver set formations, where his route running and strong hands provide Shough with a security blanket. This should provide the offense with a major boost as he and Shough continue to build on the chemistry they developed last year.
The new offseason additions are not only exciting for what they bring individually, but also for how they will be able to create more favorable opportunities for Vele. With defenses forced to key in on the team’s new playmakers, Vele should find himself in plenty of one on one matchups and favorable situations. After flashing his potential late last season, he now has everything in place for a true breakout year.
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