Peoples-Jones is expected to be the No. 4 receiver in Detroit this season, but he has minimal Fantasy value in that role. He's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues. Peoples-Jones will open the season behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond, but Peoples-Jones also has to contend with Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs earning targets as well. It will be hard for Peoples-Jones to be Fantasy relevant on a consistent basis when everyone is healthy, but he could become a waiver wire option if an injury were to occur. If that scenario unfolds then just add Peoples-Jones off the waiver wire during the season.
Peoples-Jones has agreed on a one-year, $2 million deal to re-sign with the Lions. Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.
Peoples-Jones played seven games with the Browns in 2023 before finishing the second half of the season in Detroit. He finished the regular season with 13 receptions on 25 targets for 155 yards between both teams. The 25-year-old will now look to solidify a role for himself as a pass catcher during the offseason, but he also has the potential to contribute as a returner on special teams.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Big step back in fourth season
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught 13 passes (on 25 targets) for 155 yards over 15 regular-season games in 2023.
Peoples-Jones began the year as a near every-down player in Cleveland, where he produced 97 yards in seven games. Upon being dealt to Detroit, the Michigan product only topped 20 percent of the offensive snaps in one game when Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond (knee) got banged up. Peoples-Jones then was barely used in the playoffs, not seeing a single target or more than six offensive snaps in any of three games. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, he may need to find a new team to help him rediscover his 2022 form when he totaled 839 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 17 games.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Catches two passes
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught two of two targets for 25 yards during Sunday's 30-20 win over the Vikings.
Peoples-Jones caught passes on consecutive plays in the third quarter but was otherwise unheard from for most of the game. However, if Jameson Williams (ankle) and Kalif Raymond (knee) are unable to play against the Rams in the wild-card round, Peoples-Jones could potentially serve as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds going forward, which is a role that would take on heightened importance if tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) misses time as well.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Makes catch in limited role
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught one pass for five yards during Saturday's win over the Broncos.
Logging 16 percent of the offensive snaps, Peoples-Jones is not even remotely close to possessing the near-ever-down role he had in Cleveland to start the year. With Jameson Williams' role increasing as he starts to operate as the No. 2 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, the only path for Peoples-Jones enjoying additional opportunity seems to be if Detroit wants to decrease Josh Reynolds' role even more than in recent weeks. Given Reynolds' recent production and history with quarterback Jared Goff, it seems unlikely that will happen anytime soon.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: No opportunties in passing game
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones was not targeted with a pass during Thursday's loss to the Packers.
Peoples-Jones logged two snaps on offense and seven on special teams during his Lions debut last week against Chicago. While he has yet to catch a pass in Honolulu Blue, it feels like progress that Peoples-Jones more than tripled his offensive snaps while being taken off of special teams entirely. However, considering the Lions needed to run 84 offensive plays, it's possible that Detroit was just easing the burden on Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams. Next up is a Week 13 matchup with the Saints.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: One target in team debut
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones was targeted once but did not catch a pass during Sunday's 31-26 win over Chicago.
Making his Lions debut, the Michigan product logged just two snaps on offense compared to seven on special teams. Considering that Jameson Williams logged a season-high 68 percent of the offensive snaps, it seems that Peoples-Jones' snaps came at the expense of Kalif Raymond, who logged a season low. Peoples-Jones will need to take quite a few more snaps from one of Raymond, Williams or Josh Reynolds to start having any fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Inactive Sunday
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
The Lions traded for Peoples-Jones before their Week 9 bye, and he'll sit this one out after being limited at practice this week. In Peoples-Jones' absence, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond and Antoine Green are available to handle the team's WR duties.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Limited again Thursday
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones (ribs) remained limited in Thursday's practice.
Acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline, Peoples-Jones is looking to make his Lions debut this week against the Chargers after Detroit was on its bye in Week 9. If active, Peoples-Jones will likely play a deep-threat, sub-package role behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds while competing for snaps with Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Tending to rib issue
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report due to a rib injury.
When the Lions acquired Peoples-Jones from the Browns at the trade deadline last Tuesday, Peoples-Jones wasn't tending to a health concern. Detroit also happened to be on a Week 9 bye, so the current rib issue may have popped up during his physical. It's not exactly the best way to begin his stint with a new squad, and it could affect his ability to make inroads in the passing game right away, especially in a receiving corps with experienced options Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond as well as second-year pro Jameson Williams. In the end, People-Jones' status will be one to monitor as the week goes on to see if he'll be able to make his debut with the Lions on Sunday at the Chargers.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Moving to Motor City
Rotowire
The Browns traded Peoples-Jones to the Lions on Tuesday in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Peoples-Jones hasn't been lacking in snaps this season, logging at least an 80 percent share in six of seven games. But the ground-based Browns haven't prioritized the passing game as much with Deshaun Watson missing a good portion of the campaign due to a shoulder injury. Overall, Peoples-Jones has gathered in eight of 18 targets for 97 yards and no touchdowns. With the Lions, he'll be facing fair more competition for snaps with all of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond in the wide receiver room.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Another subdued week
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught two of three targets for 22 yards and returned three punts for 22 yards in Sunday's 39-38 win over Indianapolis in Week 7.
Peoples-Jones caught more than one pass for just the second time in six games, as the fourth-year veteran has seen his targets squeezed in 2023. Cleveland's passing offense hasn't taken flight as expected, and Peoples-Jones has failed to establish chemistry with any of the team's quarterbacks -- Deshaun Watson (shoulder), PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He's caught eight of 18 targets for 97 yards through six games.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: One catch in loss
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught one of four targets for seven yards and returned three punts for 24 yards in Sunday's 28-3 loss to the Ravens.
It wouldn't be accurate to say that Peoples-Jones' production suffered with rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center instead of Deshaun Watson (shoulder), as the wideout hasn't seen more than four targets in any game this season and managed a single catch in three of four contests. Peoples-Jones leads Cleveland's wideouts in snaps but has just 14 targets after four weeks. The Browns are off in Week 5.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Logs two targets in Week 1
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught one of two targets for 12 yards and returned three punts for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Bengals in Week 1.
Peoples-Jones led the wideouts in offensive snaps (64, 89 percent share) but was behind both Amari Cooper (seven targets) and Elijah Moore (seven) in terms of opportunities. The Browns didn't unveil any new focus on their passing attack, as the ground game behind Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford reasserted its dominance on a rainy day in Cleveland. The team's run/pass mix favored the rush, 58 percent to 42 percent.
The Browns envision third-round draft pick Cedric Tillman as an eventual replacement for Peoples-Jones, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Peoples-Jones is coming off his best season, but an already loaded wideout corps got more crowded after the Browns added Tillman, a big-bodied X receiver that could excel in the red zone. It's unlikely Tillman has a big role at the start of the 2023 season, but a more pass-centric offense could provide him snaps to showcase the promise Cleveland sees in him. Despite the hype surrounding the draft pick, Peoples-Jones is expected to be one of the top three on the depth chart, along with Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Makes most of one reception
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones recorded one reception on three targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Commanders.
The Browns had a run-oriented offensive game plan, as Deshaun Watson attempted only 18 passes. Peoples-Jones had little opportunity as a result, but he managed to catch a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter after failing to haul in his first two targets of the contest. He now has two touchdowns in his last three games and three total for the season.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Not in sync with QB
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught one of five targets for two yards in Saturday's 17-10 loss to the Saints.
Peoples-Jones had been the most productive receiver since Deshaun Watson took over as the starting quarterback, averaging five catches on six targets for 63 yards in three games with Watson, but the duo was not in sync Saturday. Given the nature of the Browns' struggling passing offense, Peoples-Jones may not be a good option for fantasy teams still in the hunt, but he's established himself as a viable NFL receiver in his third season.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Season-high 114 yards in Week 14
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught eight of 12 targets for 114 yards in Sunday's 23-10 loss to Cincinnati.
Peoples-Jones had a step on his man in the end zone on Cleveland's first drive, but Jacoby Brissett -- who was in for a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak bluff -- overthrew the wide receiver. He was also the intended receiver on Deshaun Watson's fourth-quarter interception as well as Watson's fourth-down incompletion from Cincinnati's six-yard line later in the fourth. Despite those low points, Peoples-Jones still managed to lead the team in targets, catches and receiving yards while Amari Cooper (hip) caught only two of seven targets for 42 yards. Peoples-Jones set season highs in all three of those categories, demonstrating strong chemistry with Watson heading into a Week 15 visit from the Ravens.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: WRs to Sit
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones had a huge game in Week 13 at Houston, but it was because of his 76-yard punt return for a touchdown. Otherwise, he had a limited role in the passing game with three catches for 44 yards on three targets. I expect better production moving forward with Deshaun Watson, but I want to see it first before starting Peoples-Jones in the majority of leagues. The Bengals are also No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, so it could be a tough game for Peoples-Jones and Amari Cooper in Week 14.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Big impact in win
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones caught all three of his targets for 44 yards and returned three punts for 86 yards, including a 76-yard return for a touchdown, in Sunday's 27-14 win over Houston.
Peoples-Jones provided a spark for the Browns with his punt return late in the second quarter to give Cleveland a lead it did not relinquish. The Texans were ahead 5-0 at the time in what was a sleepy affair for the Browns' offense, which was being quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson for the first time. Peoples-Jones' punt-return touchdown was the first for Cleveland since 2015. The wideout has developed into a reliable No. 2 receiver this season and has taken hold of the punt return chores after several others failed to do so.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Quiet day in Week 12 win
Rotowire
Peoples-Jones brought in two of four targets for 16 yards and returned five punts for 75 yards in the Browns' 23-17 overtime win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Peoples-Jones made a big impact on special teams, leaving the Browns in favorable field position after all five of his punt returns. On offense, he put together a very quiet day in what was slated to be Jacoby Brissett's final game as the starting quarterback prior to Deshaun Watson's expected Week 13 debut against the Texans. Peoples-Jones had developed good chemistry with Brissett throughout the season, leading to a career-high 42 receptions for the third-year receiver. Peoples-Jones is also now four yards short of tying the career-best 597 receiving yards he recorded last season, and he should be a beneficiary of Watson's ability to get the ball deep in coming weeks.