Ex-Broncos wide receiver had a breakout game with Saints on Sunday

Sunday was a breakout day for former Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele. Vele was traded to the New Orleans Saints back in August for two draft picks, and little has been heard out of the Big Easy since the deal.

On Sunday, Vele had eight catches on eight targets for 93 yards, one touchdown and an onside kick recovery for the Saints. Unfortunately, Vele's efforts came up a little short, as the Miami Dolphins beat New Orleans 21-17 in the morning window.

Vele played one season in Denver as a seventh-round pick out of Utah. In Vele's lone season with the Broncos, he caught 50 passes for 566 yards and three touchdowns.

For Denver head coach Sean Payton, it was a difficult decision to trade Vele during the offseason. "[He has] all the things that we look for: discipline, structure, smart, tough, talented," said Payton after the trade in August. "That’s why this one was difficult. ... He was fantastic when we visited with him. He’s going to be a real good player for them. Those are the tough ones and really, I was only able to come up with like two that were like that. Darren Sproles was a really tough decision, and I later regretted it, but most of the time they’re easier. We wish him well.”

It ultimately may have been the right choice to trade Vele, as wide receivers Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant have stepped up in his place in the Broncos' offense.

Check out some of Vele's highlights against the Dolphins below, and reactions to his performance.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Ex-Broncos WR Devaughn Vele had breakout game with Saints