Josh Reynolds‘ free agency exit created some questions about the Lions’ No. 3 wide receiver spot, with Jameson Williams expected to play a bigger role this season. Donovan Peoples-Jones loomed as a contender, but he will fall well short of winning the gig.
The Lions, who traded for Peoples-Jones last year, are planning to release him, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets. Peoples-Jones had loomed on Detroit’s roster bubble, per the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, and he will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
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Detroit re-signed Peoples-Jones this offseason (one year, $1.3MM) but only guaranteed the former Cleveland sixth-rounder $125K. The latter figure will turn into a small dead money hit for the Lions, who were unable to coax much from the Michigan alum. In eight games last season, Peoples-Jones caught only five passes for 58 yards.
A Detroit native, Peoples-Jones became a solid option for a multiyear period in Cleveland. After a 597-yard 2021 season, he played well during the 2022 slate by racking up 839 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. The Browns added Elijah Moore via trade in 2023, and Peoples-Jones’ production declined. He only caught eight passes during his Browns contract year, and Cleveland moved on by collecting a 2025 sixth-round pick at the deadline.
While the Browns’ receiving corps changed from its Odell Beckham Jr.–Jarvis Landry makeup to an Amari Cooper-fronted group during Peoples-Jones’ tenure, the Lions are not making many changes this offseason. Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a monster extension, and the team is ready to see if Williams can finally take a step forward as a No. 2 option. The team has veteran Kalif Raymond as a lead WR3 candidate, though Dan Campbell said early in camp the Lions were in need of someone to step up as the clear-cut WR3.
Raymond appears the best bet to fill that role, Birkett adds, but the Lions have some questions beyond that. While Peoples-Jones would be eligible to return as a practice squad option, no indications have emerged that will be in play for the Lions.
Great depth piece for chiefs and Steelers possibly even Dallas or Washington too
I would like him as a Steeler, if they didn’t already have a bunch of other guys of a similar skill set. But I’d expect the Steelers to add someone, and I wouldn’t complain if it was DPJ. He’s works his behind off and he hasn’t exactly always had good QBs throwing to him.
I’d take DPJ over Scotty lol
I’m not sure you guys would all think this if you actually followed the Lions during camp or watched the preseason games
DPJ flat-out did not look interested in being there. 0 effort to block, had the whole alligator short arm thing going on slants, etc etc. Considering he was born and raised in Detroit, and played at Michigan coming back home you would have thought he’d have a little bump in his step.
DPJ has long said he wanted to go into medicine like his DR father. It’s possible he might just not have the love for the game a professional needs to have anymore.
He really personifies “what could have been” in many ways had he had the drive to be great. Even going back to college his work ethic, practice habits, etc were lacking, as he came to UM as part of probably the single best WR recruiting class the school ever had but notably never was the #1 guy despite the HS accolades. His physical gifts have blessed him to have a NFL career, but he’s never used them in the blocking aspect, and his lackluster fundamentals and route running refinement simply have never improved.
Man he could have been a true stud a la OBJ if he possessed 50% of OBJ’s fire.
Oh my goodness….DPJ the biggest non factor ever…didn’t want to play for the Lions in the first place…..
I was so excited as a Michigan fan to see DPJ come to Detroit. But this guy did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in his time here! He had a golden opportunity to take the WR3 job here and he really looked disinterested and did nothing to show he wanted to stay here. I wish him luck but it doesn’t bode well for his future.