Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 203 pounds
Arm Length: 33 1/2"
Hand Size: 9 3/4"
Accomplishments:
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2022)
“Devaughn Vele is a height/weight/speed receiver who lacks production but has plenty of NFL-caliber traits. He is a role-specific receiver but can carve out a role as a reliable possession receiver who will provide effort in the run game.”
Strengths:
Catch radius
Straight-line speed
Toughness
Concerns:
Suddenness
Route-running
Production
Film Analysis:
Utah’s Devaughn Vele is an intriguing wide receiver prospect who might be a draft day steal if he goes late on day three or undrafted. Vele was a fifth-year player who has been a reliable pass-catching option with the Utah Utes.
Vele is a bit of an unknown as he plays in an offense that doesn’t necessarily throw the ball a ton and therefore his production isn’t on par with some of his wide receiver contemporaries. However, he does have an NFL skill set. Vele has excellent size and strength for the position and has very good straight-line speed. He is an outside-only receiver who excels playing on the boundary where he can use his size and strength to his advantage.
Vele is an average route-runner who lacks the suddenness and lateral agility to create separation horizontally. He is at his best on vertical and down-the-field routes where he can utilize his long speed and his size to win the ball down the field. He has a very good catch radius and outstanding hands overall.
Vele is a tough and physical player and will fight for extra yards after the catch. He is a big target in the red zone and is a quarterback's best friend on third downs. Vele is a get-what-’s-there runner after the catch as he lacks quickness and elusiveness to make defenders miss.
He is an excellent blocker in the run game and displays a willingness to go above and beyond in that regard.
Overall, Vele won’t wow you as a pure receiver but has the size, speed, and good hands to get him into camp where I would bet on him making a roster due to his ability to block and play on special teams.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Brentley Weissman
Exposures: Washington (2023), Oregon (2023), USC (2023)