The Cleveland Browns got a 100 percent return on investment out of wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Drafting the wide receiver out of Michigan in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft, the Browns have now traded Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions for a 2025 sixth round pick.
Peoples-Jones only has half of a season left on his contract, and the Browns showed no interest in extending him. They actually drafted his replacement this April instead in Cedric Tillman. On the season, Peoples-Jones has once again struggled to gain any separation and has amounted to just 98 yards on 8 catches in 2023.
This has opened up space for both David Bell and \Tillman to see the field in Cleveland.
As always, Browns fans can be trusted to be reasonable and level-headed when they take their thoughts and emotions to Twitter. Right? Well, not exactly. Here is how Browns Twitter reacted to the trade of Peoples-Jones to the Lions.
The Browns drafted DPJ in the 6th round, got 3.5 years out of him, and got 100 percent return value for him.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) October 31, 2023
Happy trails to Donovan Peoples-Jones
To the good times 🍻 pic.twitter.com/oD8UbDgM65
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 31, 2023
I will always remember this Donovan Peoples-Jones walkoff TD against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Do great things, DPJ. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/8cHBzp2wTE
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) October 31, 2023
It's been truly strange to see Donovan Peoples-Jones go from 800 yards as a Brown last year to nonexistent in the offense this year.
Ultimately, if he wasn't getting extended, recuperating a draft pick makes sense.
Good luck in Detroit Donovan! pic.twitter.com/Cy5NU7ziZY
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) October 31, 2023
donovan peoples-jones is good imo just my opinion
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) October 31, 2023
Donovan Peoples-Jones had the athleticism of a first-round pick but the ball skills and consistency of a not-that-at-all.
Pros: Game-changing athleticism, one of the most explosive WRs RE: testing in the NFL
Cons: blocking, route running, ball skills— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 31, 2023
Incredible WR name duo of Amon Ra St Brown and Donovan Peoples-Joneshttps://t.co/V7K775kdAr
— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) October 31, 2023
The Lions have a Donovan Peoples-Jones at home https://t.co/ShhOwDC7go
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) October 31, 2023
The Detroit Lions have officially traded for former Cleveland Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones.
"Make what you do great greater.." pic.twitter.com/hRoX6nxBJV
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) October 31, 2023
I am genuinely bummed it came to this. Two promising years leading up to 2023. All the best, DPJ. https://t.co/WwnSoH9cJt
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) October 31, 2023
Taking DPJ away from Bubba so he’s forced to put a real return guy back there >>>>>>>>>>>>
— SUPER BOOWWLL 🚽 SUPPPERR BRRROOOWWWNNNS 😒 (@The_1nine) October 31, 2023
good for DPJ gets a chance to play for his hometown team and hopefully get a contract from them
— Quincy Carrier (@Kwen_C) October 31, 2023
A lot of #Browns WR snaps just opened up 👀
DPJ – 83%
Cooper – 78%
Moore – 78%
Goodwin – 14%
Bell – 10%
Tillman – 8%They have averaged 2.72 WRs per snap this season 📈 https://t.co/h3nHjtAdaC
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) October 31, 2023
The Browns essentially drafted Cedric Tillman in the third round to replace DPJ (in the last year of his deal) next season. Tillman could be a player to watch in Cleveland the second half of the season.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 31, 2023
Love DPJ. All class. Sad to see him go but I get it.
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) October 31, 2023
DPJ was a 6th round pick and had big moments with the Browns. Can't ask for much more than that. Wish him nothing but the best in Detroit.
— Football Chopz (@Pchopz_) October 31, 2023
Wish DPJ nothing but the best in Detroit, really enjoyed his time in Cleveland #DawgPound
— Jacob Roach (@roachizm13) October 31, 2023
#DawgPound DPJ in 2023:
-5.4 Total EPA
0.08 Targets per route run
0.41 Yards per route run
44.4% catch rateAll of these are in the bottom-15 of qualifying WRs.
Cedric Tillman time?
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) October 31, 2023
I always liked DPJ, but he was unfortunately the odd man out and a victim of of the Browns' quarterback instability. Cool he gets to go home to Detroit (and play in that offense).
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 31, 2023
Got DPJ for a 6th got more production than anyone thought and got a 6th back pic.twitter.com/fqN64cBZxA
— Robert (@JRAMNOTTHAGOAT) October 31, 2023
I like the Michigan reunion with DPJ for the Lions but I really think they should’ve been in on Young, man.
With the influx of young talent they have I think even giving up a late 2 would’ve been worth it.
Lot of teams he could’ve helped but they’re the 1 that sticks out to me
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) October 31, 2023
With DPJ gone, they need to play Cedric Tillman. Can’t keep your 3rd round pick on the bench.
— T (@turner_m2) October 31, 2023
