Who Should I Start? Devaughn Vele or Pat Bryant

Saturday, January 11, 10:42 AM

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele isn't going to be in many DFS or playoff lineups on wild-card weekend when the Broncos head to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Vele averaged 6.6 half-PPR points per game on 41 receptions, 475 yards and three touchdowns, putting him tied for 77th among all pass-catchers. Going into the postseason, Vele is essentially Denver's WR3 behind Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. That won't give anyone confidence to use him this weekend, but the Broncos should be in pass-first mode as nearly 10-point underdogs, and the Bills defense has allowed the most half-PPR points per game in the last five weeks, including over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. If Denver is forced to air it out on Sunday, Vele could be a sneaky flex play with more volume.

Wednesday, May 7, 9:34 PM

The Denver Broncos agreed to a four-year rookie contract with third-round wide receiver Pat Bryant on Wednesday, a source told 9 News' Mike Klis. The Broncos selected the Illinois product with the 74th overall pick to give them more wideout depth behind WR1 Courtland Sutton in 2025 and beyond. It's another weapon for second-year quarterback Bo Nix, and the 22-year-old pass-catcher should give him a nice big target with a wide catch radius at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds. Bryant has drawn comparisons to former Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who had a nice history with head coach Sean Payton. He could have trouble separating from defensive backs in the NFL, but Bryant's production (17 touchdowns the last two years) speaks for itself. Bryant will most likely struggle for volume in 2025 as he competes with Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.