New Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Can Have 'Immediate Impact'

Spencer German of Browns Digest covers the Cleveland Browns for FanNation. He answered five questions to help provide insight regarding new Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. 

1. What are the Lions getting in new wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones?

Spencer German: Donovan Peoples-Jones is a speedy wideout, who is best suited for a role as an outside receiver. When he's at his best, DPJ is being featured as a deep threat on go style routes and deep crosses over the middle of the field. It was those types of plays that saw him put together his best season in 2022, when he was primarily playing with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. If you notice the dip in his production this year that can mostly be attributed to the quarterback play this year not being able to utilize what DPJ does best. In some instances, People-Jones has also served as a returner for the Browns as well.

2. How would you characterize his time with the Browns?

German: DPJ's time with the Browns would probably best described as promising. Every year sine he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft he had been getting progressively better. It culminated last year in am 800-yard receiving season that had fans really excited about the possibility of him having an even larger role this year with Deshaun Watson under center, and even potentially being someone the front office could look to extend this upcoming offseason, but clearly the Browns felt differently after his numbers took a major hit this year. Regardless, Peoples-Jones leaves having proved he can be a reliable weapon for someone in the NFL.

3. Supporters in Detroit are viewing the addition as a replacement and slight upgrade over Marvin Jones, who was a reliable veteran receiver. Can Peoples-Jones have an immediate positive impact in Detroit's offense?

German: I think he can. The biggest problem I envision for him in Detroit is that the Lions have a ton of weaponry in that offense already. When you're surrounded by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, even Josh Reynolds to a degree, there are a lot of mouths to feed. It does seem like Detroit was looking for a dependable third option in the passing game though, and DPJ can certainly excel in that role. Ultimately, if it doesn't work out, the price was a sixth-round pick and no one is really the wiser.

4. Are the Lions going to be happy with the trade they made with the Browns?

German: I believe so, yes. For starters, he's a Detroit native and a Michigan product, so that should win fans over immediately. From a production standpoint though, he's proven he can put up some numbers as a second or third option and with a steadier quarterback situation – unlike he's had in Cleveland this year. I don't know if he ever becomes a No. 1 receiver in this league, but frankly, Detroit doesn't need him to be that. For where the Lions are at right now, he makes a lot of sense.

5. What is something about Donovan Peoples-Jones people may not know about him?

German: Perhaps the highlight of his career to this point was a game-winning touchdown catch against the Bengals in 2020. It was also a breakout game of sorts for Peoples-Jones because after Odell Beckham Jr. went down with an injury, he came in and picked up some slack with three catches for 56 yards. Cleveland trailed Cincinnati 34-31 with 15 seconds to go and Baker Mayfield dropped a beautiful pass to Peoples-Jones near the right side of the end zone. DPJ adjusted nicely to make the catch and win a crucial game that year.