As the Broncos’ offensive menu continues to expand, Devaughn Vele is becoming one of the foremost beneficiaries.
The rookie wide receiver is lining up all over the field, playing different spots and making an impact in several different ways.
The seventh-round draft pick already had three catches in the first half of Denver’s 29-19 win at Las Vegas when head coach Sean Payton put him alone on the backside of a unique, 4-by-1 formation.
The Broncos had Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin aligned into the boundary with running back Javonte Williams and jumbo tight end Matt Peart as an eligible receiver all to quarterback Bo Nix’s right.
Vele pushed vertically up the field, gave a head-fake inside that kept cornerback Decamrion Richardson on his heels and then eventually snapped off his route to the inside. Nix pinned the ball on him for a 26-yard gain.
Vele’s showed a knack for getting open and making plays since rookie minicamp in May. In recent weeks, though, his ascension has only accelerated.
The 26-year-old has fortified himself as the No. 2 option at receiver behind Sutton and on Sunday he finished with six catches (nine targets) for 80 yards.
Since he returned from being out four games — one due to a rib injury and three healthy scratches — Vele’s been on a 58-catch, 782-yard pace.
In the three weeks since his playing time jumped to about two-thirds of Denver’s offensive snaps, he’s got 14 catches (18 targets) for 185 yards and a touchdown.
Vele’s most recent game and his trajectory drew about as strong of praise as you’ll hear from Payton on Monday morning.
“He’s been really good,” Payton said. “The strengths for him: Certainly, his hands. You guys saw it in camp — he’s got strong hands in traffic. He’s a guy that plays well over the middle. He reminds me a lot of Marques Colston, who I had in New Orleans for 10 or 11 years.”
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Source:: The Denver Post – Sports