Every Day, Former Utah WR Devaughn Vele Makes A Play For Broncos
Aug 17, 2024, 4:28 PM
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 11: Devaughn Vele #81 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against Dallis Flowers #21 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half during a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
DENVER – On what seems like a daily basis, Devaughn Vele does something to impress onlookers at Denver Broncos training camp.
Last Thursday, for example, the seventh-round rookie had the catch of camp, a one-handed touchdown grab in a goal-to-go period. Even in the preseason opener, when Vele had just one reception, he drew two pass-interference penalties.
“He put some good tape out there and continues to improve,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.
When Broncos WR Devaughn Vele reflected on his preseason debut, he pointed to “little things” that he wanted to fix.
“Different releases that I can work, getting cleaner out of my breaks, things like that. And just letting the game come to me and not trying to rush everything.” pic.twitter.com/pSeY7le0Fx
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 14, 2024
When the Broncos returned to practice Wednesday, Vele wasted no time drawing an ovation from fans, working one step past Kris Abrams-Draine down the right sideline to catch a perfectly-placed Bo Nix pass for a 50-yard touchdown. In his next repetition, Vele made a leaping catch.
And during the final “move-the-ball” period of practice, Vele almost-single-handedly drove the No. 2 offense to a field goal, catching a pair of passes from Jarrett Stidham for 49 yards.
The little things on which Devaughn Vele prides himself seem to be making a big impact — and could push him to a spot on the 53-player roster that seemed unlikely when the Broncos selected him.
But Devaughn Vele isn’t getting caught up in that.
“Just staying humble and grinding,” he said. “Keeping my head down and doing what the coaches tell me to do and just being coachable.”
The afore-mentioned 50-yard catch by Devaughn Vele during the one-on-one period showed his improving downfield ability. “I like his transition and his body control for someone who’s 6-foot-4,” Payton said.
