The Detroit Lions are re-signing wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, according to multiple reports, including Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The deal is for one year, for up to $2 million.
The Lions acquired Peoples-Jones, a former Michigan and Detroit Cass Tech standout, in trade deadline deal with the Cleveland Browns. The Lions sent a sixth-round pick to the Browns in exchange. Peoples-Jones, 25, appeared in eight regular-season games for the Lions, including one start, catching five passes on seven targets for 58 yards.
Additionally, Peoples-Jones handled punt-return duties in the postseason after Kalif Raymond suffered a knee injury in the season finale.
It’s premature to speculate how much Peoples-Jones could see his role expand in his second season with the Lions, at least until we see whether the team makes additional moves at receiver via free agency or the draft. Josh Reynolds, who has made 24 starts for the Lions the past two seasons, remains a free agent. If he lands with another team, and the Lions don’t use an early-round selection on the position in the draft, Peoples-Jones could be in line for a notable workload increase.
General manager Brad Holmes praised Peoples-Jones’ versatility after making the trade, and there’s a history of quality production at the professional level. In 2022, he caught a career-high 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns.
