Overview

• Denver finalized the deal sending second-year receiver Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder, per multiple reports and team comments.
• Payton said the Broncos were not shopping Vele but received multiple inquiries and described the decision as difficult after evaluating the team’s crowded receiver room.
• Vele, a 6-foot-5 seventh-round pick in 2024, produced 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie and remains under contract through 2027 at age 27.
• The move clears opportunities in Denver for Troy Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant alongside Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Trent Sherfield ahead of roster cutdowns.
• The Saints add a tall contested-catch option to a group featuring Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks as Kellen Moore sorts his starting quarterback between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.