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Cleveland Browns: Can Donovan Peoples-Jones emerge as WR 3?

By Eddie McDonald

Dec 6, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) is upended by Tennessee Titans fullback Khari Blasingame (41) on a punt return during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) is upended by Tennessee Titans fullback Khari Blasingame (41) on a punt return during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The top-two spots on the Cleveland Browns receiving depth chart are secured, so will Donovan Peoples-Jones emerge as WR3?

Entering year two with the Cleveland Browns, Donovan Peoples-Jones should see his role in the high-octane offense expand in another year under head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Last season, Peoples-Jones showed glimpses of what he is truly capable of and really impressed the coaching staff and showed that general manager Andrew Berry found a steal in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

DPJ was able to take advantage of more playing time once Odell Beckham Jr. was lost for the season with an ACL injury. In fact, DPJ took advantage in the same game OBJ was lost, as he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to beat the Bengals.

He finished the season catching 14 passes on 20 targets, for 304 yards and two touchdowns. His 21.7 yards per reception led all rookies in 2020.

Now that training camp has begun, DPJ has yet again found himself taking advantage of opportunities. Beckham has had planned days off and Rashard Higgins, who is also battling for the WR 3 position on the depth chart, rolled his ankle last week causing him to also miss practice.

Insert Mr. Peoples-Jones.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Peoples-Jones has been “catching every single thing that comes his way.”

The more Mayfield and Peoples-Jones connect during camp, the better off the offense will be in its entirety during the regular season. He provides another deep threat to Mayfield’s cannon of an arm, even more so once Beckham is fully healthy on the opposite side.

Stefanski calls DPJ “a really smart player, a conscientious kid who we could put in there and trust him to do the job.” He went on to say “He certainly earned our trust over the course of time.”

Along with DPJ and Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jojo Natson, and rookie Anthony Schwartz will all be in the mix for WR 3 on the depth chart. Both DPJ and Natson add value to the team in terms of being kick returners. Whether or not Natson makes the roster remains to be seen, whereas DPJ is almost a lock to make the 53-man roster.

The battle in the wide receiver room for the third spot on the depth chart is going to be a fun one to watch over the next month-plus of training camp.

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Last year, Peoples-Jones was just a kid coming out of Michigan trying to get drafted. Well, he was drafted in the sixth round and is now making the most of it. If year one and the start of training camp are any indications, look for Donovan Peoples-Jones to make a huge impact on this Cleveland Browns offense and potentially be WR 3 on the depth chart.

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