This confusing Saints trade is aging better than anyone imagined

Wide receiver Devaugn Vele showed promise with the Denver Broncos in 2024 as a 26-year-old rookie. Then, they shipped him off to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder in the ensuing offseason.

Vele getting rerouted from Denver to New Orleans was a bewildering move for all parties involved. It was one of the most random trades in recent memory, particularly for the Saints.

New Orleans was (and still is) in no position to give up valuable draft capital, especially for an unproven, less-heralded talent like Vele. Their misuse of assets had reared its ugly head for much of his inaugural campaign with the club. However, he appears to be settling into the offense and is beginning to change the narrative that was placed on the Saints for acquiring him.

Devaughn Vele continues to make weird offseason trade look better for Saints

The Saints have ostensibly taken the training wheels off Vele. He's been on the field for at least 87 percent of the offensive snaps in each of their past three contests. Notably, his usage and production have improved during this stretch.

Since Week 10 (excluding New Orleans' bye), Vele's target, reception and yardage totals have increased every game. He's given the Saints another deep threat and someone they can trust in high-leverage situations, specifically in the red zone. His budding connection with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has been among the most exciting under-the-radar storylines of an otherwise lost season.

We saw Vele take another (and perhaps his most dramatic) step forward in the Saints' 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He was remarkable despite the team falling short, continuing to prove himself as a reliable option for Shough, including a highlight-reel fourth-quarter touchdown.

Throwing a ball 20-plus yards off his back foot while rolling out and evading pressure is illustrative of the confidence Shough has in Vele. That takes a lot of trust, which the latter is gradually gaining in New Orleans, punctuated by a career-best day against the Dolphins.

Not only did Vele score in Miami, but he also led the Saints in every receiving category. His 93 yards set a new personal best while tying a previous high mark in catches (eight). Those in New Orleans have been waiting for him to carve out a role since the summer, and it's easy to see why.