Saints Devaughn Vele may face competition in crowded WR room

By Ross Jackson

One of the team’s more promising weapons toward the end of the 2025 season, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele is expected to step into a larger role this year. 

Down the stretch last year, Vele had a strong four-game showing after the team started getting him more involved in the offense and before an injury shortened his promising run. 

A Promising First Impression 

Between Weeks 12 and 15 last season, Vele reeled in 18 of his 25 receptions and 239 of his 293 receiving yards along with one of his two touchdown catches on the season. 

He particularly became a go-to target of quarterback Tyler Shough’s in the middle of the field. Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, he totaled 50 of his 93 receiving yards on in-breaking routes. 

His ability to make tough catches outside of his frame, through contact and in jump ball situations has generated some excitement about how he may contribute in 2026 to an offense that’s revamped its skill positions. 

“That connection between Shough and Vele is getting better. You see he’s earned his QB’s trust. If you’re looking for some optimism, this might be it.”

Devaughn Vele shines vs. Dolphins

📺 – https://t.co/8f7gvtAFHM pic.twitter.com/NAD84yp01c

— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) December 3, 2025

New Challengers for Snaps

However, with all of the new additions at wide receiver associated with that revamp, nothing is specifically guaranteed for Vele either. Despite being the target of a trade by the Saints during last year’s preseason, investments in the 2026 draft and returns from injury all present potential road blocks that Vele must clear in order to maximize his role. 

His roster spot is almost certainly safe, but his involvement in the offense will be tied to his production, the team’s personnel groupings selections and the development of young acquisitions. 

Possible Changes in Deployment

For instance, in 12-personnel snaps late last year (one running back and two tight ends), the two wideouts most often deployed were Vele and top wideout Chris Olave. In 2026, there’s a good chance that duo is going to often be Olave and rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson instead. 

Vele would still have value opposite either Olave or Tyson in those looks, but with a new high investment in the building, the share of snaps and opportunities is sure to change.

Most Immediate Competition 

Additionally, the selection of North Dakota State wideout Bryce Lance in the fourth round is an intriguing one as well. 

Lance isn’t built too terribly dissimilar to Vele, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash coming into the league in 2024. 

Lance stands at 6-foot-3 while weighing in at 204 pounds and brings 4.34-second speed. 

The two wideouts are similar archetypes with Lance having a competitive leap and development to factor in.  

How the two overlap or are utilized uniquely will be a very interesting part of training camp this season. 

Training Camp Proving Ground

Vele is entering the third season of his four-year, seventh-round rookie contract. He carries a cap hit of just $1.075 million. That number keeps him solidly placed for a roster spot, but it also doesn’t guarantee much positioning within the wide receiver room. 

Training camp will be important for Vele to ward off competition. Unlike last season, he won’t be joining the fold late and stands to have a head start over many of the team’s newcomers. If he takes advantage of that and continues to be as reliable as he proved to be down the stretch last year, he should be able to solidify himself as one of the team’s top options at wide receiver for head coach Kellen Moore.