The New Orleans Saints are two weeks away from their 2026 season opener against the Detroit Lions on September 13. To mark the countdown, wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been selected as the Saints Player of Day 14, wearing number 14 for the team this season.
Vele, a 28-year-old from San Diego, joined New Orleans last August after being acquired from the Denver Broncos in exchange for draft picks. The 6-foot-5 receiver was largely underutilized during his first nine games with the Saints. However, following the mid-season trade of Rashid Shaheed, Vele emerged as a crucial target for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 19 catches for 239 yards over a four-week stretch before suffering a leg injury that sidelined him for the final three games.
Originally a seventh-round draft pick by Denver in 2024, Vele established a strong rapport with Shough despite limited opportunities early in the season. He finished his inaugural Saints campaign with 25 receptions for 293 yards. Though New Orleans added three receivers in the 2026 draft, the chemistry between Vele and Shough on intermediate routes positions him as an integral component of the team’s offensive strategy moving forward.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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