Devaughn Vele Bio
Devaughn Vele (born December 12, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 210 lb, he was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft before being traded to New Orleans in August 2025. Vele played college football for the Utah Utes after walking on to the program, eventually earning a scholarship and developing into a reliable target in the passing game.
Early Life and Background
Devaughn Vele was born on December 12, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised by his single mother, Afagaila, and was later adopted by his father, Efaraima. The family is of Samoan descent, and Vele grew up connected to that heritage. He attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California, where he played football and helped lead the team to its first State Championship title in 2015.
After graduating from Rancho Bernardo, Vele served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, later serving time in Samoa. The mission delayed his entry into organized football but shaped his discipline and work ethic. Upon returning home, Vele committed to walking on at the University of Utah rather than pursuing other college options, setting the stage for his college career.
Path to American Football
Vele joined the Utah Utes as a walk-on, beginning his climb through the wide receiver depth chart. He used the 2019 season to redshirt, learning the playbook and adjusting to the college game. In the shortened 2020 season, he appeared in five games and made two catches for 12 yards, offering an early glimpse of his size and athleticism.
Heading into the 2021 season, Vele earned a scholarship from Utah after strong offseason progress. His breakout moment came in week six of that season, when he pulled down a 37-yard touchdown reception to help the Utes knock off USC. By the end of 2021, he had posted 23 receptions for 389 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as a key piece of the offense and laying the groundwork for an NFL opportunity.
Devaughn Vele Career
Early Career (2019-2023)
Vele’s early college years were defined by steady development rather than immediate stardom. After his redshirt year in 2019 and a limited 2020 campaign, he broke out in 2021 and built on that momentum in 2022, when he tallied 50 receptions for 595 yards and five touchdowns. Although he initially planned to declare for the NFL after 2022, Vele chose to return to Utah for one more season to refine his route running and add polish to his game.
His 2023 season confirmed his growth. Vele notched seven receptions for 80 yards in a week ten loss to the Oregon Ducks, then followed it up with seven receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win over Arizona State. He finished 2023 with 43 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns, then declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
NFL Breakthrough with the Denver Broncos (2024)
Vele was selected in the seventh round with the 235th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL draft. He made an immediate impression in his NFL debut, hauling in eight receptions for 39 yards in a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. That production signaled that his frame and hands could translate to the professional level.
He caught his first career touchdown in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, a memorable moment against a division rival. Vele finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns, a strong return for a Day 3 pick. His size made him a frequent target in contested-catch situations and gave the Broncos a developmental piece in their receiver room.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025-Present)
On August 20, 2025, the Broncos traded Vele to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move gave him a fresh start and a clearer path to snaps in a developing offense. In Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, Vele caught his first touchdown as a Saint on a three-yard pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Vele appeared in 13 games with seven starts for the Saints and recorded 25 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter of a Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On December 19, Vele was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 5 in and 210 lb, Vele profiles as a big-bodied outside receiver with strong hands and a wide catch radius. His college and early NFL work showed comfort winning contested catches along the sideline and in the red zone, and his frame creates favorable matchups against smaller cornerbacks. He has also shown willingness as a blocker in the run game, a trait that fits traditional Saints offensive philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Vele’s first NFL touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 of 2024 stands as one of his early career highlights, and his first Saints score in Week 2 of 2025 marked a quick start with his new team. He helped Rancho Bernardo win its first State Championship in 2015 and later earned a scholarship at Utah after beginning his college career as a walk-on, milestones that trace his steady ascent.
Devaughn Vele Career Stats
Through the 2025 regular season, Devaughn Vele has recorded 66 receptions for 768 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns across his NFL career. His production is split between his rookie year with the Denver Broncos and his first season with the New Orleans Saints. The totals reflect steady involvement rather than top-of-the-chart numbers, with his size and scoring upside remaining his most marketable traits.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Vele opened his career with the Denver Broncos in 2024, finishing his rookie year with 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns. He added a first Saints touchdown in Week 2 of 2025, showing quick chemistry with quarterback Spencer Rattler. His 25 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns across 13 games in 2025 demonstrated a continued role before his season-ending shoulder injury.
College and High School Performances
At Rancho Bernardo High School, Vele helped lead the program to its first State Championship in 2015. At Utah, he developed from a walk-on into a scholarship player, finishing his college career with three productive seasons as a starter, including a 50-reception, five-touchdown campaign in 2022. His college totals and steady climb made him a viable late-round NFL prospect.
Devaughn Vele Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Vele was raised by his mother, Afagaila, as a single parent and was later adopted by his father, Efaraima. The family is of Samoan descent, and Vele has spoken about the influence of his Samoan heritage on his upbringing. He also served a Latter-day Saints mission in Samoa, deepening his connection to family and faith.
Personal Life
Devaughn Vele is married to Tymane Vele. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his faith and family ties remain a central part of his identity. After being traded to New Orleans, Vele continued his NFL journey while balancing recovery from a shoulder injury that ended his 2025 season.
2025 Season Performance
Vele’s 2025 campaign began with a trade to the New Orleans Saints on August 20, 2025, giving him a new offensive setting and quarterback room. He wasted little time making an impact, catching a three-yard touchdown from Spencer Rattler in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers. Through 13 appearances and seven starts, he posted 25 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns, contributing as a possession target and red-zone option.
His season included a notable special-teams moment when he recovered a Charlie Smyth onside kick in the fourth quarter of a Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, a 21-17 defeat. Vele’s role continued to grow before he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers. On December 19, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve, closing the book on his first Saints campaign.
Looking ahead, Vele’s combination of size, hands, and red-zone experience should keep him in the Saints’ plans as he recovers. With 66 career receptions for 768 yards and 5 touchdowns already on his resume, he has a foundation to build on once healthy. His development under the Saints’ staff will be a key storyline as he works toward a return for the 2026 season.
