3 Cleveland Browns with tumbling stock heading into Week 5

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones #11 of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch during the second quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones #11 of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch during the second quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: Donovan Peoples-Jones #11 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns falling stock No. 2: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Wide Receiver

Throughout the offseason, we all heard about how good Donovan Peoples-Jones was expected to be in 2021. And it was hard not to buy into the hype.

As a rookie, he showed plenty of flashes with 304 yards on 14 receptions with two touchdowns — one of which was a game-winner against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. What was most impressive was his 21.7 yards per reception average, showing off some deep speed this offense needed.

Throw in his strong preseason and training camp and it felt like Peoples-Jones was on the verge of something special. However, after four weeks he has an average of just one reception per game. He’s hauled in all four of his pass targets for 57 yards but overall, he’s been a non-factor.

He did have a solid game in Week 3 where he caught two passes for 39 yards which made it seem as though he might be ready to turn the corner. But then in Week 4, he never even had one target come his way.

Maybe there’s another reason for it that has nothing to do with DPJ but even so, he’s quickly becoming a forgotten man in this offense which is upsetting.