Renck: Last week, the Broncos fell in love with Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant, and broke up with Devaughn Vele. There were signs that the commitment to Vele was fracturing this summer. Everyday Vele was becoming Every Other Day Vele. His production uneven as he recovered from a knee issue, Vele was no longer the clear No. 2 behind Courtland Sutton. But he was an option, right? Not anymore. The Broncos moved Vele to the Saints for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The deal made sense given the return, but did the Broncos give up on Vele too soon?
Keeler: Nope. You know which NFL wide receivers turn 28 during the regular season? . Heck, he’s only four months younger than Maxx Crosby and Kyler Murray. Look, big No. 17 was a heck of a story last year, a seventh-rounder who gave you second-round or third-round production as a rookie for a team that needed young guys to outperform their salaries. But he’s also, you know, 27. His peak is coming quicker, yes. But it’s also likely to be a smaller one than that of Franklin or Bryant, who are both 22. Whatever Vele’s going to be, he pretty much is right now. And that’s a pretty decent WR2 or WR3 if his knees are right. The latter remains to be seen.
Renck: Getting two draft picks for a 27-year-old seventh-round receiver is not a transaction, it is a heist. Yet, two things can be true. The value screams the Broncos had to do it, but treating Vele as a luxury for a team trying to win its first division title since 2015 is dangerous. Franklin and Bryant boast higher ceilings. But they haven’t proven it in the regular season. Vele did. As a rookie, he caught 41 passes, including 11 for first downs on 16 third-down targets. Compare that to Franklin, who delivered two first downs on 15 third-down targets. The conclusion: Franklin’s improvement and Bryant’s practice performance better not be a mirage.
Keeler: Granted, if there is a part of the trade that makes me cringe, it’s missing Vele’s sure hands. Devaughn did what Tim Patrick used to do for this offense at a fraction of the cost. That can’t be understated. Dinks and dunks matter in a Payton offense. Reliability is an ability, too. Bryant has to provide something comparable to what Vele did a year ago, right from the jump. The eye test says he can.
Renck: Vele is not Ed McCaffrey or Rod Smith. Don’t confuse this. He had a promising first season. And Franklin struggled. Marvin Mims Jr. is electric, but still profiles more as a gadget than a consistent weapon. What does this all mean? The Broncos got an offer they could not refuse. But what it really comes down to is this: Tight end Evan Engram must produce. For all the buzz about Franklin and Bryant, Engram is the Broncos’ No. 2 target. If he posts 70 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns, Vele will not be missed. But let’s not pretend the reward of this trade does not come with risk.
Keeler: It depends on your faith in the law firm of Payton & Paton, doesn’t it? When it comes to drafting and developing skill players, I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt. The Broncos took a flyer on one of the most fungible commodities in the NFL — a seventh-round draft pick — and helped that commodity overachieve, which is a win. They then flipped that fungible commodity for two of the most valuable, precious metals in the league — more draft picks. More cost-controlled talent. Vele is a good dude and a fun story. But turning him into two younger players, or into draft capital that could land you an even better veteran via a trade? That isn’t a win. It’s a rout.
