The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos

08-21-2025, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Assuming there was even a guard available for trade that would be an upgrade to what we have it wouldn't come close to losing arguably our best WR still on a cheap rookie contract. But, yeah, why not?

Btw, here's all of the available free agent guards per spotrac.

Player (9) Pos Age YOE Prev Team Prev AAV Type Market Value
AAV
Brandon Scherff G 33.6 10 JAX $16,500,000
UFA
$6,682,311
Shaq Mason G 31.9 10 HOU $12,000,000
UFA
Jon Feliciano G 33.5 10 SF $2,750,000
UFA
$1,446,769
Cody Whitehair G 33.1 9 LV $2,500,000
UFA
$1,860,204
Dalton Risner G 30.1 6 MIN $2,410,000
UFA
$3,354,288
Mark Glowinski G 33.2 10 IND $1,210,000
UFA
$1,656,688
Jack Driscoll G 28.3 5 PHI $1,125,000
UFA
Carter O'Donnell G 26.6 3 ARI $915,000
UFA
Jack Anderson G 26.8 4 DAL $302,400
UFA

Let's see who gets cut in a week. I remember a GA OG that was signed as UDFA.

dizzle88 · 08-21-2025, 06:56 PM

I have to hand it Kellen, he is trying to make this team better.

I think this season is going to be a difficult watch with the QB spot going to someone that is unproven, but if the team can show growth and effort, that's enough for me during the first year of this rebuild.

rezburna · 08-22-2025, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Tremendous demand. Half the teams in the league are in dire need. While in demand they are not out there.

You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to.

AsylumGuido · 08-22-2025, 03:15 PM

SmashMouth likes this.

AsylumGuido · 08-22-2025, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by rezburna

You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to.

Yeah, I've been hearing that from the offensive line coaching guru, Paul Anderson, a semi regular guest on Moving the Chains, for the last three or four years, among others. He was the one that first talked about how the better big athletes were moving from the offensive line to the defensive side in college and even in high school saying that there's more money there and it's become a much "sexier" group of positions. His other main reason was that the NCAA has cut back on hours per week that the coaching staffs can spend with the athletes. This has meant that the offensive playbooks have been reduced to the equivalent of comic books (my paraphrasing here). He says very little time, if any, is spent on fundamentals anymore in college and almost everything is out of the shotgun. Offensive line players today may be bigger and faster than years ago, but their development fundamentally is retarded and they come out of college closer to a high school level a decade earlier.

Sure, there are going to be those rare plug and play types that can make it on pure ability, but those are very few and far between.

SmashMouth · 08-22-2025, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by rezburna

You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Yeah, I've been hearing that from the offensive line coaching guru, Paul Anderson, a semi regular guest on Moving the Chains, for the last three or four years, among others. He was the one that first talked about how the better big athletes were moving from the offensive line to the defensive side in college and even in high school saying that there's more money there and it's become a much "sexier" group of positions. His other main reason was that the NCAA has cut back on hours per week that the coaching staffs can spend with the athletes. This has meant that the offensive playbooks have been reduced to the equivalent of comic books (my paraphrasing here). He says very little time, if any, is spent on fundamentals anymore in college and almost everything is out of the shotgun. Offensive line players today may be bigger and faster than years ago, but their development fundamentally is retarded and they come out of college closer to a high school level a decade earlier.

Sure, there are going to be those rare plug and play types that can make it on pure ability, but those are very few and far between.

I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey!
Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems.

AsylumGuido · 08-22-2025, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey!
Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems.

No, I am saying there are less than 64 good guards out there that can currently excel at the NFL level and I pointed out several real reasons why. Does that mean that they cannot become solid NFL guards? No. Not at all. But they must go through much more work to get there and the fact that the NFL has also greatly limited fully padded practice time it may take longer and longer for potential prospects to reach the level of fully competent NFL guards. The current CBA now only allows 16 padded practices during the offseason and 14 during the 18 week regular season. Teams used to have two-a-day padded practices multiple times a week in both college and the NFL. The squad it disrupts the most are the offensive lines. Defensive linemen essentially are told to go get the ball and the QB. Offensive lines have to run like a well oiled machine. They no longer get the time to learn their craft before and even after entering the league.

Rugby Saint II · 08-22-2025, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

6’5 & can move the chains.

I was wondering when they would target a bigger wide out.

Was never sold on the idea of having so many receivers 6’0 and under.

Maybe coach isn’t sold on B Cooks (small & questionable hands).

Originally Posted by voodooido

Will cooks even make the squad now? You have this guy, Olave, Shaeed, and Tipton. Can cooks beat out Bubba or any other of the cheap #5 wr’s?

I always thought that Cooks was going to be the backup to Olave and Shaheed if either one of went down. He's our speedster back up who can stretch the field. I was sure that Moore had a plan and would bring in a player with Veles size and hands.

His film last year looked smooth out there and he has good ball awareness. We drafted a late round TE this year but didn't really address TE or a 3rd down 50/50 jump ball guy with good hands. He not only catches a ball nicely but he reaches out at the last moment to snatch it. I like it!

He was a 7th rounder with a years pro experience that played well enough to be traded for two draft picks. Our record with 4th round picks before this draft was less than stellar. We picked quite poorly recently to be honest. Although, I do believe that we had another epic team building draft who were team captains and hard nosed football players. Moore has a mission and I like the vibes.

iceshack149 · 08-22-2025, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey!
Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems.

At the 2025 NFL Combine, Simpkins III stood at 6 feet, 5 inches, and weighed in at 312 pounds. The average height and weight of an NFL offensive lineman is 6 feet, 4 inches, and 313 pounds. Simpkins III's combination of above-average height and average weight provides him with good strength as either a guard or a center.

“We all play with passion, physicality ... We fight for each other up front,” Simpkins III said. ”It's a brotherhood. You're going to fight for your brother.”

NfL Draft Buzz says Simpkins III is an impressive pass blocker with good fundamentals and knows where to place his hands in order to get positioning on his defender.

Simpkins III is strong and large enough to hold his ground against bigger power rushers that will line up against him on the interior. Once Simpkins III has his grip on a defender, he will rarely ever let go, and he possesses fantastic grip strength.

Simpkins III has shown his ability to be a versatile lineman by being able to play both guard and center. In career at NCCU, he played the majority of his snaps at center, but in Columbia, he played right guard.

“If you put me at guard, or if you put me at center, I'm going to help run the show regardless,” Simpkins III said.

https://www.dailygamecock.com/articl...l-sports-zadig

After last week's video of Simpkins destroying two D-lineman on one play, I have to admit I'm a little geeked about him. A lot will happen from here until the season begins but he could be solid.

iceshack149 · 08-22-2025, 06:49 PM

double post.

08-21-2025, 06:56 PM	#22
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,696	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos I have to hand it Kellen, he is trying to make this team better. I think this season is going to be a difficult watch with the QB spot going to someone that is unproven, but if the team can show growth and effort, that's enough for me during the first year of this rebuild. jnormand, Crusader, saintsfan1976 and 1 others like this.

08-22-2025, 08:09 AM	#23
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 8,244	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by AsylumGuido Tremendous demand. Half the teams in the league are in dire need. While in demand they are not out there. You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to. AsylumGuido and SmashMouth like this.

08-22-2025, 03:15 PM	#24
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,953	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Twitter SmashMouth likes this.

08-22-2025, 03:30 PM	#25
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,953	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by rezburna You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to. Yeah, I've been hearing that from the offensive line coaching guru, Paul Anderson, a semi regular guest on Moving the Chains, for the last three or four years, among others. He was the one that first talked about how the better big athletes were moving from the offensive line to the defensive side in college and even in high school saying that there's more money there and it's become a much "sexier" group of positions. His other main reason was that the NCAA has cut back on hours per week that the coaching staffs can spend with the athletes. This has meant that the offensive playbooks have been reduced to the equivalent of comic books (my paraphrasing here). He says very little time, if any, is spent on fundamentals anymore in college and almost everything is out of the shotgun. Offensive line players today may be bigger and faster than years ago, but their development fundamentally is retarded and they come out of college closer to a high school level a decade earlier. Sure, there are going to be those rare plug and play types that can make it on pure ability, but those are very few and far between.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

08-22-2025, 03:49 PM	#26
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 39,277 Blog Entries: 29	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by rezburna You're right about that. You've been saying it for a while and you're completely right. They don't make o-lineman like they used to. Originally Posted by AsylumGuido Yeah, I've been hearing that from the offensive line coaching guru, Paul Anderson, a semi regular guest on Moving the Chains, for the last three or four years, among others. He was the one that first talked about how the better big athletes were moving from the offensive line to the defensive side in college and even in high school saying that there's more money there and it's become a much "sexier" group of positions. His other main reason was that the NCAA has cut back on hours per week that the coaching staffs can spend with the athletes. This has meant that the offensive playbooks have been reduced to the equivalent of comic books (my paraphrasing here). He says very little time, if any, is spent on fundamentals anymore in college and almost everything is out of the shotgun. Offensive line players today may be bigger and faster than years ago, but their development fundamentally is retarded and they come out of college closer to a high school level a decade earlier. Sure, there are going to be those rare plug and play types that can make it on pure ability, but those are very few and far between. I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey! Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems. iceshack149 and K Major like this.

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

08-22-2025, 04:05 PM	#27
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,953	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by SmashMouth I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey! Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems. No, I am saying there are *less* than 64 good guards out there that can currently excel at the NFL level and I pointed out several real reasons why. Does that mean that they cannot become solid NFL guards? No. Not at all. But they must go through much more work to get there and the fact that the NFL has also greatly limited fully padded practice time it may take longer and longer for potential prospects to reach the level of fully competent NFL guards. The current CBA now only allows 16 padded practices during the offseason and 14 during the 18 week regular season. Teams used to have two-a-day padded practices multiple times a week in both college and the NFL. The squad it disrupts the most are the offensive lines. Defensive linemen essentially are told to go get the ball and the QB. Offensive lines have to run like a well oiled machine. They no longer get the time to learn their craft before and even after entering the league.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

08-22-2025, 04:52 PM	#28
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,250	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by K Major 6’5 & can move the chains. I was wondering when they would target a bigger wide out. Was never sold on the idea of having so many receivers 6’0 and under. Maybe coach isn’t sold on B Cooks (small & questionable hands). Originally Posted by voodooido Will cooks even make the squad now? You have this guy, Olave, Shaeed, and Tipton. Can cooks beat out Bubba or any other of the cheap #5 wr’s? I always thought that Cooks was going to be the backup to Olave and Shaheed if either one of went down. He's our speedster back up who can stretch the field. I was sure that Moore had a plan and would bring in a player with Veles size and hands. His film last year looked smooth out there and he has good ball awareness. We drafted a late round TE this year but didn't really address TE or a 3rd down 50/50 jump ball guy with good hands. He not only catches a ball nicely but he reaches out at the last moment to snatch it. I like it! He was a 7th rounder with a years pro experience that played well enough to be traded for two draft picks. Our record with 4th round picks before this draft was less than stellar. We picked quite poorly recently to be honest. Although, I do believe that we had another epic team building draft who were team captains and hard nosed football players. Moore has a mission and I like the vibes. AsylumGuido and SmashMouth like this.
	There Are Two Kinds Of People In This World Being A Rugby Player Is Better Than Both Of Them

08-22-2025, 05:08 PM	#29
iceshack149 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 4,489 Blog Entries: 1	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos Originally Posted by SmashMouth I say it's cyclical ... didn't we discuss this with the DLine not so long ago? There's merely 32 pro teams. You're not trying to tell me that there are only 64 good guards in all of football right now, are you? Out of well over 100 college teams? Horse Hockey! Tortellini is decent and will make the team. Trust the Saints staff find other gems. At the 2025 NFL Combine, Simpkins III stood at 6 feet, 5 inches, and weighed in at 312 pounds. The average height and weight of an NFL offensive lineman is 6 feet, 4 inches, and 313 pounds. Simpkins III's combination of above-average height and average weight provides him with good strength as either a guard or a center. “We all play with passion, physicality ... We fight for each other up front,” Simpkins III said. ”It's a brotherhood. You're going to fight for your brother.” NfL Draft Buzz says Simpkins III is an impressive pass blocker with good fundamentals and knows where to place his hands in order to get positioning on his defender. Simpkins III is strong and large enough to hold his ground against bigger power rushers that will line up against him on the interior. Once Simpkins III has his grip on a defender, he will rarely ever let go, and he possesses fantastic grip strength. Simpkins III has shown his ability to be a versatile lineman by being able to play both guard and center. In career at NCCU, he played the majority of his snaps at center, but in Columbia, he played right guard. “If you put me at guard, or if you put me at center, I'm going to help run the show regardless,” Simpkins III said. https://www.dailygamecock.com/articl...l-sports-zadig After last week's video of Simpkins destroying two D-lineman on one play, I have to admit I'm a little geeked about him. A lot will happen from here until the season begins but he could be solid. jnormand, SmashMouth and Rugby Saint II like this.

08-22-2025, 06:49 PM	#30
iceshack149 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 4,489 Blog Entries: 1	Re: The #Saints have acquired WR Devaughn Vele from the Broncos double post. SmashMouth and Rugby Saint II like this.