When the Denver Broncos selected wide receiver Devaughn Vele in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many analysts were surprised. It wasn’t that Vele’s play on the field showed that he didn’t belong in the league, but most observers thought the fact that he is already 26 years old would prevent the Utah wideout from being drafted.
Thus far in training camp, however, Vele has proved the wisdom of the selection. Beat writers for the team who attend camp each day have consistently made note of Vele’s playmaking ability, especially in the red zone, where his 6’4, 210-pound frame can make mincemeat of smaller defenders.
Vele showed that playmaking ability again on Thursday, making what has universally been universally dubbed “the catch of camp” by snagging a one-handed grab from quarterback Jarrett Stidham in the endzone.
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— Anthony Nguyen (@MileHighRonin) August 8, 2024
Will Vele Threaten the Roster Spot of a Veteran?
The Broncos have had numerous injuries at the wide receiver position in recent years, most notably to Tim Patrick, another Utah alum whose size and skillset are similar to Vele’s. Head coach Sean Payton has noted the size in his wide receiver room with approval, but there are only so many spots available for wideouts on the 53-man roster.
If the coaching staff sees Vele show out in preseason games the way he has in camp, there’s no way he doesn’t make the team. Cortland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Josh Reynolds are a lock for the roster, and Patrick seems assured to make it too.
If the Broncos only keep six receivers, that means that veterans like Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson and Jalen Virgil could be on the outside looking in once the season starts. They’re all good practice squad candidates, but if none of them make the team, it will go a long way toward demonstrating the Broncos have improved their wideout depth just in time to hand the team’s reigns over to rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
