The Denver Broncos made a trade on Wednesday that will both surprise fans but also send them into celebration as the return is quite good.
Last year, the Broncos found Devaughn Vele in the seventh round of the draft (No. 235 overall) and he went from the roster bubble to the starting lineup in the blink of an eye. Instrumental in the early development of Bo Nix, Vele caught 41 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. But what he did early on in camp was quickly leapfrog Troy Franklin in the pecking order.
Franklin, the team's fourth-round pick and one of the best wide receivers in college football that season, was shrouded in concerns. Would he be a practice squad player? Would he even make the team? Yes, these were actual conversations being had within the fanbase last summer.
On Wednesday, Vele was traded to the New Orleans Saints. The return was quite impressive. The Broncos got a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Vele. That is what you call a stellar return.
But what made it possible was the other wide receivers currently on the roster, none more than Franklin. Franklin has exploded this summer and has put his name on the team's No. 2 wide receiver position. After catching two touchdowns last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the front office may have started brainstorming ideas.
The Broncos drafted Devaughn Vele in the 7th round last year.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 20, 2025
They flip him a year later for a 4th and 7th round pick.
Really strong return for them. https://t.co/8Xr6P4XpDk
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The Broncos opened training camp with nothing but questions behind No. 1 wide receiver Courtland Sutton. It may have been the biggest concern on the entire roster. The team came up with some quick answers and now Vele is being sent away for an impressive price.
Hats off to George Paton, that is great GM work.
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