CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Donovan Peoples-Jones has watched the Browns load up on receivers in the offseason, including a fellow big-bodied wideout like third-round pick Cedric Tillman.
He’s watched Deshaun Watson stand at the podium on two occasions and lobby for his good buddy and five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins, whom the Browns ultimately opted not to pursue.
He’s watched them trade for Elijah Moore, and sign Marquise Goodwin and tight end Jordan Akins, who’s more like a big receiver.
Meanwhile, the Browns didn’t extend Peoples-Jones’ contract as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, preferring to let the season play out. So how has the 2020 sixth-round pick out of Michigan responded to all of this?
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He took his game up another notch in the offseason and excelled in organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, planting his flag in the receiver room. On the first day of the camp, he caught back-to-back TD passes in the back of the end zone in red zone drills, having the awareness to keep both feet inbounds in tight quarters. He maintained that high level of performance throughout the three days, and a was a reliable target for Watson.
While new receivers such as Moore and Marquise Goodwin stole the spotlight with explosive plays and one-handed catches, Peoples-Jones quietly made his presence felt.
“As you know, Donovan is such a trustworthy target for the quarterbacks,” Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s always exactly where he needs to be from a route perspective, from a depth perspective, and then to have ball skills like he does and throw it to a spot where only he can get it, and he has the wherewithal to get his feet down. We talk about him like he’s a young player, but he’s a pro now, and that’s kind of what pros do.”
Peoples-Jones’ development escalated last offseason when he worked hard on his body and his game. That, coupled with learning route running from the great Amari Cooper, resulted in a career season for the No. 2 wideout. He finished second on the team with 61 receptions for 839 yards — 161 shy of his first 1,000-yard season — all with Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games.
With Watson set for a full season, Peoples-Jones can easily eclipse 1,000 yards and top his career-best of three TDs, which he achieved in each of the past two seasons. With his ability to make the difficult and contested catch, he should be able to double his TD output, and he put on a clinic in OTAs and minicamp.
“Donovan Peoples Jones has been outstanding this spring,” receivers coach Chad O’Shea said on the last day of minicamp. “I really think he’s made improvement. He’s been a very good player and a big part of what we do offensively, but this spring he has been so impressive on just the improvement. He’s so coachable. He works so hard and he’s just a great player to have on our team.”
The Browns will be in 11 personnel — or three receivers — a lot this season, and People-Jones will be one of the three much of the time along with Cooper and Moore. It’s a chance for him to make a huge impact this season, and also a strong case for an extension.
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