DevaughnVele

News: 1 day agoVele secured four of six targets for 26 yards in the Saints' 23-13 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Spin: Vele finished in a three-way tie with Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson for the team lead in receptions and also drew even with Olave for top slotting in targets. However, that meant little on a day when Tyler Shough was held to 3.8 yards per attempt by an aggressive Vikings defense and finished with just 96 passing yards overall. Vele's quiet afternoon notwithstanding, the third-year wideout has now seen at least six targets in each game and has impressively converted 14 of his 25 receptions into first downs. Vele will take a 25-252-2 line on 37 targets into a Week 6 road matchup against the Giants next 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.