Denver traded receiver Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for a…
Denver traded receiver Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder. Vele caught 25 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games for the Saints in 2025, while Denver's fourth-round asset became pick No. 108 and Jonah Coleman. Turning a former seventh-round receiver into a fourth plus a future seventh gives Denver a B; New Orleans receives a C+.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2026 4th round pick (108th overall, Jonah Coleman)
- pick a 2027 7th round pick
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Devaughn Vele
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
New Orleans acquired wide receiver Devaughn Vele, while Denver received a fourth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round pick in 2027. The 2026 selection became No. 108 and was associated with Jonah Coleman. Vele had been a seventh-round selection by Denver in 2024, so the Broncos were able to convert a recent late-round investment into substantially stronger draft capital after only one NFL season.
Why the Value Moved
The value case for Denver begins with that appreciation. Vele showed enough as a rookie to attract a fourth-round offer, and the Broncos accepted while adding an extra future seventh. New Orleans was paying for a known NFL receiver rather than an unknown Day 3 prospect, which gives the Saints a defensible reason to spend more than Vele's original draft slot. The cost still required him to become more than a depth option for the deal to tilt their way.
How the Outcome Looks
Vele's first Saints season produced 25 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. That is useful contribution, but it is not the level of production that normally makes a fourth-round pick plus another selection look inexpensive. Denver, meanwhile, had already secured the higher-value asset and could use it directly or as trade currency. The Broncos' side therefore gained both draft value and roster flexibility without giving away an established star.
Final Verdict
Denver Broncos Win. Denver receives a B because turning a former seventh-round receiver into a fourth-rounder and another future pick is strong value, especially when Vele's first New Orleans season was modest rather than breakout-level. The Saints receive a C+ because Vele did contribute and the acquisition addressed a roster need, preventing the trade from becoming a poor result. New Orleans can still improve its side if Vele grows into a larger role, but the realized value presently favors Denver.