Without the emergence of young wide receivers Pay Bryant and Troy Franklin, the Denver Broncos likely wouldn't have traded away Devaughan Vele . Throughout training camp and the preseason, Bryant and Franklin have been flashing. Broncos starting safety Brandon Jones has been impressed by what he's seen from the young wideouts.

After using a seventh-round draft pick to select Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele last year, the Denver Broncos ' general manager has traded the 27-year-old wide receiver to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for fourth- (2026) and seventh-round (2027) draft picks.

Given a day to process the Devaughn Vele trade move and prepare his remarks, Broncos coach Sean Payton explained the combination of interest in Vele and a need to narrow down the receiver room led to the deal.