When the Denver Broncos wrapped up minicamp this past week, the team's last time on the field together until training camp opens in late July, there were plenty of things to take away.
One of those was the belief by some that Jarrett Stidham looks to be the current leader for the QB1 job. But another takeaway, perhaps even more surprising, is that rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele looks terrific so far.
The Broncos took Vele in the seventh round out of Utah, with pick No. 235 overall. Those picks are generally used on players who end up fighting for spots on the practice squad and then having to prove themselves for at least one season before being worked more into the mix.
However, Sean Payton is already noticing what the wide receiver brings to the table.
The @Broncos got Utah receiver Devaughn Vele in the seventh round, and Sean Payton is already impressed with Vele’s size/speed attributes, and how they’ll fit in his offense. This third-day pick might see some starting reps under the right conditions. https://t.co/Zmc2egieiw
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 15, 2024
Broncos rookie Devaughn Vele has caught the eye of coaching staff
Working against Vele is the fact that he is already 26 years old. But that makes him an unconventional rookie as well. Payton traditionally uses the vast majority of his rookies sparingly, but perhaps he's willing to make an exception in this case. But if he does, what does the wide receiver position look like when the season opens?
The Broncos have Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds and rookie Troy Franklin who are all likely to make the team. Aside from Vele, there are seven other wide receivers on the roster, including holdovers Brandon Johnson, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, and Jalen Virgil.
The wild card becomes Tim Patrick.
Vele, who just happened to go to the same school as Patrick and just happens to be wearing his old jersey number (81, Patrick now wears No. 12), could be in direct competition with him for a spot on the 53-man roster, if the Broncos are serious about Vele making the team as a rookie.
Patrick was undrafted in 2017 and spent time with two other teams before landing in Denver. He spent that entire season on the practice squad and had to work his way up to where he is on the team now. Will Vele take the same route or will the Broncos fast-track him to the main roster?
That will be an intriguing question to ponder this summer and the wide receiver position should be the most interesting group to follow in camp and preseason games as it should see a spirited competition.
