Detroit Lions Viewed as NFL Trade Deadline Losers

The Detroit Lions made just one move at the trade deadline, adding wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones at the expense of a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.

The move was surprising to some, as speculation had risen about the Lions looking for defensive help. In the end, they elected to add depth at wide receiver.

Here's what major outlets amongst the NFL world had to say about Detroit's trade with the Cleveland Browns.

Sports Illustrated

"Detroit, however, wasn’t quiet after acquiring wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Browns, who required only a 2025 sixth-round selection.

The Lions have the offensive line to take shots downfield with Peoples-Jones, Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown against the stout defensive lines of Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas. But Detroit probably should have prioritized the defensive side, especially the secondary. The Lions could have also used another edge rusher to help Aidan Hutchinson."

CBS Sports

"Taking a flyer on Peoples-Jones is fine, especially since he adds more wide receiver depth to a position that's already talented. People-Jones can play multiple positions at wideout and special teams, having returned his fair share of punts and kicks. Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson have utilized the most out of players in their offense -- and this should be no different."

NFL.com

"In Detroit, Peoples-Jones will provide depth behind star Amon-Ra St. Brown and No. 2 wideout Josh Reynolds. The Lions have struggled to find consistent play from their third receiver. Former first-round pick Jameson Williams has just six catches for 71 yards and a TD in four games. Kalif Raymond has generated 18 grabs for 231 yards and a score.

Given the low cost, it's a good flier for the Lions to bring the Detroit product back home."

ESPN

"The Lions are getting Peoples-Jones as a rental: He's a free agent after this season.

I get the idea of taking a flier on Peoples-Jones in the hopes that he returns to his 2022 form when paired with better quarterback play. But his statistics this season are alarming and ultimately I'm left feeling the Lions should have done more.

Detroit is, at worst, a top-four contender in the NFC. But they rank 10th in EPA per play on offense and 12th on defense. To truly be Super Bowl contenders, they're going to need better offensive performance, and I wonder if a better wideout -- from Mike Evans to Davante Adams to Jerry Jeudy -- might have pushed them to that next level. Of course, it's possible none was truly available. But Peoples-Jones is more of a long shot dice roll rather than someone to count on."

Sporting News

"The Lions didn't have a major need at receiver, but with Jameson Williams' shaky performance and Marvin Jones' departure from the team, adding a player to provide depth and upside makes sense.

Peoples-Jones checks both boxes. He hasn't been productive this season, catching just eight passes for 97 yards despite playing more snaps than any Cleveland receiver, but he generated 839 yards and three touchdowns on 61 catches in 2022. So, the Lions are likely banking on him having better chemistry with Jared Goff than he has with Deshaun Watson and PJ Walker.

Peoples-Jones is just 24, so he has upside that the Lions might be able to coax out of him. At the very least, his size and speed should make him good insurance in case Williams continues to struggle to adjust to the NFL game."

USA Today

"They plucked WR Donovan Peoples-Jones from Cleveland, adding another nice dimension to a second-ranked offense. But with Young and Sweat available, why didn’t the NFC North leaders take a bigger swing at a time when they’re legitimate threats to earn home-field advantage in the playoffs?"