DevaughnVele

News: 17 hours agoVele secured six of nine targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 45-24 loss to the Falcons on Monday night.

Spin: Vele tied for second in receptions and checked in as the runner-up in targets for the Saints on the night, and he rounded out a solid fantasy performance by recording a three-yard touchdown reception with 1:13 remaining. The score was ultimately meaningless to the outcome of the lopsided loss, but Vele further cemented his standing as a relatively high-volume No. 2 receiver by tying his season high in targets. Vele will take a 21-226-2 line on 31 targets into a Week 5 home matchup against the Vikings on Sunday.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Vele is expected to open the season as New Orleans' No. 2 receiver behind Chris Olave until Jordyn Tyson returns from injury near midseason. Vele's first season with the Saints was marred with injuries. The 2024 seventh-round pick, who posted a 41-475-3 receiving line with Denver as a rookie, barely played throughout most of 2025 prior to taking on an every-down role during Weeks 10-15. In those five games (one of which he left hurt), he averaged 5.6 targets per game, but reached 12.0 fantasy points once (an 8-93-1 effort in Week 13 against Miami). The 28-year-old has yet to show he can be relied on for consistent targets and fantasy production, but he'll play an every-down role early on, which makes him a sleeper for flex value in deep leagues. He'll be worth a roster spot until Tyson returns.