Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones will return to the Detroit Lions for the 2024 season.
On March 16, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported that Peoples-Jones agreed to return to Detroit on a one-year contract worth up to $2 million.
“Breaking: Free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is re-signing with the Lions for 1-year, up to $2 million, source tells Bleacher Report,” Schultz said on X (previously Twitter).
“Detroit prioritized keeping DPJ, who the organization believes is a rising player at just 25 years old.”
On October 31, the Lions acquired Peoples-Jones at the NFL trade deadline for 2023. Detroit traded a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the receiver.
In eight games with the Lions, Peoples-Jones had five receptions for 58 yards and seven targets.
Lions re-sign wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.Jones had little impact after the Lions acquired him at the NFL trade deadline last year. But, as Schultz mentioned, the corporation definitely believes in the 25-year-old.
It’s not hard to understand why. In 2021 and 2022, Peoples-Jones surpassed the 500-yard receiving mark, averaging 15.1 yards per reception and six touchdowns.
Over his first two seasons with the Browns, he averaged 18.8 yards per reception. Then, in 2022, Peoples-Jones had 61 catches for 839 receiving yards.
NFL trade deadline moves have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. However, many players still struggle to join a squad in the middle of the season and contribute.
However, Peoples-Jones will have the opportunity to build on his half-season in Detroit in 2024.
“Now back with the Lions for another season, Peoples-Jones has the opportunity to develop more chemistry with Jared Goff and potentially be a more contributing weapon in Detroit’s offense,” noted SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit reporter Jeremy Reisman.
Peoples-Jones played 72 offensive snaps for the Lions across eight games last season. He also lined up for 30 special-team snaps.
Although Detroit did not employ him as a returner in 2023, he is capable of filling that job. Peoples-Jones averaged 7.9 yards per punt return during 61 returns for the Browns.
During his debut season, he returned kickoffs for Cleveland.
Lions’ WR Depth After Peoples-Jones’ return, the Lions now have four of their top five wide outs under contract for 2024. The lingering question is if veteran Josh Reynolds will also return.
Reynolds ranked third on the team with 608 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. He also ranked fourth on the Lions with 40 receptions.
In an ideal scenario, the Lions will find room for Reynolds within the salary cap. However, Jameson Williams’ development is predicted to accelerate significantly by his third season in 2024.
With Peoples-Jones returning, the Lions may feel more secure in their ability to overcome Reynolds’ loss. Detroit might possibly add a wide receiver in the NFL draft.
Amon-Ra St. Brown will enter 2024 as Detroit’s clear-cut #1 wideout. In 2023, he was named first-team All-Pro after catching 119 passes, gaining 1,515 receiving yards, and scoring 10 times.
Kalif Raymond also had a good season as a supplementary target and returner. He had 35 receptions for 489 yards and added 75 yards on the ground.
The fact that Detroit mainly relies on tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the passing game reduces the importance of the team’s secondary receivers. As rookies last season, LaPorta and Gibbs combined for 138 receptions, 1,205 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
The other receivers on Detroit’s 2024 roster are Daurice Fountain, Tre’Quan Smith, Tom Kennedy, Antonie Green, and Maurice Alexander.
