The Lead

Rookies often wonder how they can find their place and make an impact early on in their NFL careers.

But for wide receiver Devaugh Vele, the approach is simple.

"Just staying humble and grinding," Vele said Wednesday. "Keeping my head down and doing what the coaches tell me to do and just being coachable."

So far, this approach seems to be paying off for the former Utah player and 2024 seventh-round draft pick. During Denver's preseason win over Indianapolis, Vele drew two pass interference penalties totaling 40 yards. Head Coach Sean Payton has been impressed with what he has seen so far and looks forward to watching continued progress throughout preseason.

"He's smart, he's a little older," Payton said Wednesday. "I would say, you don't necessarily feel [like he is] a rookie, and I say that just respectfully. … He put some good tape out there and continues to improve."

Vele has also made his presence known throughout training camp, making key plays including a “fantastic catch” in the final open practice before the preseason opener. While Vele's impressive performance may come as a surprise to some, his fellow rookie and former Utah teammate, Jonah Elliss, has never had a doubt.

"Since he declared, [I knew] he was going to be a sleeper," Elliss said. "I've watched him play, I can see his athleticism [and] everything he's done. I'm really excited for what he's going to do and for the people he's going to prove wrong."

While he has gotten off to a quick start, Vele said that he has had to make some adjustments to his game in order to keep up with Denver's ongoing wide receiver competition. One of the biggest difference-makers for him has been watching and learning from veteran players such as wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

"[I'm] just being smarter with how I play," he said. "Everybody is as athletic as you are, if not better. One thing that I've noticed is that experience trumps everything. So, I'm learning from the veterans as much as I can and just trying to be smarter with how I play."

As he nears the start of his rookie campaign, Vele says that he will use this competition to fuel him and his progress throughout preseason and beyond.

"It's a big competition," Vele said. "Obviously, everybody is talented in that room, so everybody is pushing each other to be better. Every day we have to come out and put our best foot forward."