Yesterday, rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele made an incredible one-handed touchdown catch during the Broncos’ day 14 training camp practice. It was during a red zone drill and quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw the ball up and Vele went up to get it, reached out with his left hand, and came down with the ball for a touchdown. It was a beautiful catch for Vele who is having a strong camp and is making a legitimate case for a spot on the Broncos 53-man roster.

After practice, Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi met with the media and was asked about Vele’s catch. He told reporters it was fantastic and that he has been making plays all offseason for the Broncos.

“Fantastic, but he’s been making a lot of those plays all camp. That was a little extra special, but he’s been showing us that all camp so it was pretty exciting.”

Lombardi continued by saying he is performing very well for a seventh-round rookie, that he is smart, and that with him being older, he brings some maturity to his game. He also said that Vele has been everything they hoped for when they drafted the former Utah wide receiver.

“From where he was drafted, he’s had [a] really good performance for that. [He’s] smart. He’s obviously an older player for a rookie, so you hope with that age comes some of that maturity that we’re seeing from him. He’s been everything we’d hoped for.”

With Vele making a strong case for a roster spot, the wide receiver competition becomes even more intriguing. Coming into camp, most assumed Vele, a 26-year-old rookie, could easily pass through waivers and land on their practice squad. However, with him having a strong offseason/camp, making insane catches like this, and being a top candidate to be a preseason star, that could be difficult. With the way he is reportedly playing, he could be part of the “best 53” Sean Payton is looking to assemble.

Projected Broncos receivers

• Courtland Sutton – Lock
• Marvin Mim Jr. – Lock
• Josh Reynolds – Lock
• Troy Franklin – Likely a lock
• Devaughn Vele – Strong candidate for a roster spot

The rest: Tim Patrick, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Brandon Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Jalen Virgil, Michael Bandy, and David Sills.

Many assume Tim Patrick is a lock or a strong candidate for a job, but could he be on the bubble? Troy Franklin is going to make the team and Devaughn Vele has been much better so far, so if both make it, is Patrick an odd man out? He is a 30-year receiver coming off two major injuries but is well-respected in that building. It is possible they keep six receivers but the numbers crunch is going to get someone.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey is another bubble player who played a key role for the Broncos last season. He is a Sean Payton guy but is someone who can likely make it through waivers and sign to the Broncos practice squad. He will be another tough cut but I think sneaking him to the practice squad is what they want to do.

Brandon Johnson is a tough one. He has made some plays and looks good when on the field. However, he is probably on the outside looking in and could be someone who gets claimed during the waiver process. If he doesn’t, I expect him back on the practice squad.

As for the rest, they’re all long shots for the roster but there is some talent there. Michael Bandy and David Sills have been making plays all throughout camp and will see a lot of action in the preseason. Jalen Virgil is a burner but I haven’t heard a single thing about him through 14 training camp practices.

At the end of the day, barring some injuries, the Broncos have some tough decisions to make with this wide receiver room moving forward.

Horse Tracks

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Sean McVay doesn’t expect Jimmy Garoppolo to play in preseason – NBC Sports
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Kirk Cousins challenges Kyle Pitts to use his length and his speed – NBC Sports
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has a potent new weapon, and he’s doing what he can to get the most out of him.