Devaughn Vele

Devaughn Vele is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints. Born December 12, 1997, in Indianapolis, he stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 210 pounds, a frame that makes him a natural possession target and red-zone option. Vele entered the league as a seventh-round pick, 235th overall, by the Denver Broncos in 2024, and he has since carved out a regular role in New Orleans after a 2025 trade.

Through seven games of the 2026 season, Vele had 33 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns on 48 targets, tracking toward a career best. He caught a fourth-quarter touchdown from Tyler Shough in the Saints' October 25, 2026 loss to the Steelers in Paris. His reliability on third down and in the red zone has made him a trusted target in the Saints' offense. [edit]

Devaughn Vele's route to the NFL was longer than most. He was born in Indianapolis but his path ran through a church mission before college, which delayed his enrollment and made him 26 when he entered the league rather than the typical 22. That mission trip is the reason he was one of the oldest players in the 2024 draft class.

Vele played college football at the University of Utah, where he started as a walk-on. He earned a scholarship and became a productive starter for the Utes, though the exact number of seasons he played is not widely documented. His size and hands made him a reliable target in Utah's offense, and his performance there, despite the late start, drew enough attention for the Broncos to select him in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. [edit]

Denver took Vele with the 235th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impression in his NFL debut, recording eight receptions in his first game, a remarkable output for a seventh-round rookie. He worked into the Broncos' rotation catching passes from Bo Nix during the 2024 season.

In the 2025 offseason, the Broncos traded Vele to the New Orleans Saints. Wearing No. 14, he became a regular target in the Saints' offense. Through seven games of the 2026 season, he had 33 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns on 48 targets, already tying a career high for touchdowns. On October 25, 2026, in a game against the Steelers in Paris, Vele caught a fourth-quarter touchdown from quarterback Tyler Shough, trimming Pittsburgh's lead to 10-9 at one point. The Saints ultimately fell to 2-5. Fantasy outlets had flagged him as a viable flex option heading into Week 7, and his role as a trusted red-zone and third-down target continued to grow. [edit]

Vele projects the image of a hard-working, late-round success story. His size and reliable hands have made him a fan favorite among fantasy football players, who value his red-zone presence. He keeps a low profile off the field, and his public persona is defined by his perseverance and productivity rather than flash. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for Devaughn Vele, so no ranking is available. He does not appear on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list. His fanbase is largely the fantasy football community, which tracks his weekly performance closely. He is a recurring topic on forums like r/DynastyFF, where his contested-catch ability and red-zone role are frequently discussed. FantasyPros and RotoBaller regularly include him in start/sit articles. There is no formal fandom name, but his following is active and engaged, particularly in dynasty leagues. [edit]

Vele is one of the older players in his draft class, having served a church mission before college. He was a walk-on at Utah before earning a scholarship. His 6-foot-5 frame has drawn comparisons to bigger possession receivers, and dynasty fantasy players have noted his contested-catch ability makes him a reliable red-zone threat. He wears No. 14 for the Saints. [edit]

Details about Vele's family life are not publicly documented. He is known to have served a church mission before college, which reflects a faith background that shaped his path to the NFL. No spouse, children, or other family members have been reported in available sources. [edit]

Tyler Shough, Bo Nix, Chris Olave. [edit]

There is no publicly documented information about Devaughn Vele's romantic relationships. As of 2026, his relationship status is unknown. [edit]

Devaughn Vele's earnings come primarily from his NFL rookie contract. As the 235th overall pick in the 2024 draft, he signed a standard four-year deal worth around $4.1 million, including a small signing bonus. He remains on that rookie-scale contract with the Saints. Off the field, he has no major endorsement deals reported. iFANN currently estimates his net worth at approximately $2 million, reflecting his contract earnings to date and modest additional income. His financial picture is expected to improve if he continues to produce and earns a second contract. [edit]