The New Orleans Saints finally got some size at wide receiver.
But it cost them draft picks.
The Saints announced they acquired wideout Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos on Wednesday — giving them a 6-foot-5, 210-pound target to help in the passing game. In exchange, the Saints traded a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection to the Broncos.
New Orleans' acquisition of Vele marks the team's second trade in recent days. On Sunday, they sent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for center Luke Fortner.
The deals also coincidentally happened their preseason opponents: The Saints played the Jaguars last Sunday and are set to host the Broncos on Saturday.
Former Saints coach Sean Payton, of course, now coaches in Denver, and the Broncos have brought on many players and coaches from New Orleans over the last two-plus years. Now, the pipeline goes the other way with Vele heading to the Saints.
The Broncos moved off of Vele after just one season. But for a seventh-rounder a year ago, the 27-year-old had a productive rookie season with 41 catches for 475 yards and three touchdowns.
The Saints, meanwhile, were notably small in their wide receiver room. As of late May, they were one of just two teams not to have a wideout taller than 6-foot-2. It was a departure from how the Saints have operated when Michael Thomas, for instance, was the big go-to option for former quarterback Drew Brees.
But now Vele provides relief. The Broncos quarterbacks had a 74.5% completion rate when targeting him last season. Eleven of his 12 third-down catches moved the chains. All three of his touchdowns came in the red zone.