The Donovan Peoples-Jones Era in Detroit is officially over after eight regular season games, as the Lions cut the wide receiver ahead of Tuesday’s roster deadline. A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Peoples-Jones joined the Lions midway through the 2023 season. After falling out of favor in Cleveland, Detroit sent a sixth-round pick to the Browns for half a season of his services. While the Lions made it to the NFC Championship Game, Peoples-Jones himself was just along for the ride. During his time with the Lions, the wide receiver recorded just five receptions for 58 yards.
Despite his underwhelming tenure with the Lions, the Michigan product should have some interested teams on the open market. After all, he’s just one season removed from recording 61 receptions for 839 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Donovan Peoples-Jones might not be a future Hall of Famer, but the following five teams could find a role for the recently cut wideout.
The #Lions are releasing WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, per sources.
Acquired in a trade last year, DPJ found himself in a crowded receiver room but should have a chance to catch on with a new team in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/FIp1BjCPh2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 26, 2024
5 Teams That Could Sign Donovan Peoples-Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers should kick the tires on as many wide receivers as possible. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey has promise and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston showed some signs of life in camp after a disastrous rookie season, but this team could use an experienced veteran receiver. The Chargers parted ways with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in the offseason and never truly replaced them. Donovan Peoples-Jones isn’t as good as either receiver, but the cut wideout might be better than Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark.
New England Patriots
After years of trying to tread water without Tom Brady, the Patriots are finally embracing a rebuild. For better or worse, the Patriots will see what they have with wide receivers Demario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk likely starting in Week 1. While the youth movement in Foxboro is long overdue, it wouldn’t hurt to add someone with experience into the mix. With Kendrick Bourne still recovering from his ACL injury, the Patriots could claim the cut Donovan Peoples-Jones off of waivers. Seeing as they have the third-highest waiver priority, they could probably get him if they put in a claim.
Buffalo Bills
After losing Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis in the offseason, the Buffalo Bills rebuilt their pass-catching core on the fly with incumbent Khalil Shakir, veteran Curtis Samuel, and second-round pick Keon Coleman. While an elite quarterback like Josh Allen can make magic with this ragtag group of pass-catchers, Donovan Peoples-Jones could probably cut out a role for himself on this depth chart. He won’t be the primary option by any stretch of the imagination, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a perimeter threat while Coleman adjusts to life in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have an army of serviceable but unspectacular options at wide receiver. Zay Flowers showed promise as a rookie, but Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and fourth-round pick DeVontez Walker are all average at best. Donovan Peoples-Jones spent years with Baltimore’s division rival, so perhaps head coach John Harbaugh might know how to get the best out of the recently cut wideout. If nothing else, he could compete for a depth spot and his experience as a returner could make him a valuable player on all four downs.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have their work cut out for them in 2024, and Donovan Peoples-Jones could be a cost-effective solution to one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are both reliable receivers, but New Orleans could use a third set of hands, especially considering the offensive line woes. Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league against pressure, but New Orleans could mitigate the impact of the offensive line by surrounding Carr with reliable weapons. After all, if Carr gets the ball out quickly, the opposing defensive line won’t have time to pressure him into poor decisions.
Main Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell – USA Today Sports
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