Peoples-Jones finished second on the Browns in targets last year with 96 (5.6 per game), but in a run-focused offense that added a bunch of wide receivers this offseason, there's no guarantee of a repeat, much less an improvement of that stat in 2023. That's not to say he wasn't an efficient receiver -- Peoples-Jones ranked in the top 20 among qualifying wideouts in yards per catch (13.8) and explosive play rate (20.6% of his catches went for 16 or more receiving yards). He just didn't get enough opportunities, including in the six games he played with Deshaun Watson (5.0 targets per game). Peoples-Jones might be worth a look late in Best Ball drafts, but given the influx of competition for targets in what's already a low-volume passing offense, he's otherwise a receiver to avoid.
Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: One catch in Monday's loss
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Peoples-Jones caught one of four targets for seven yards in Monday's 26-22 loss to the Steelers. He did not get an opportunity to return a punt.
Peoples-Jones leads the Browns' pass-catchers in workload, playing a healthy 88.1 percent share of offensive snaps, but he ranks fourth in targets with six, and none of them have come in the red zone. He has just two catches for 19 yards. Early on, quarterback Deshaun Watson has favored Amari Cooper (17 targets) and Elijah Moore (16) among his wide receivers.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Logs two targets in Week 1
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Peoples-Jones caught one of two targets for 12 yards and returned three punts for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Bengals in Week 1.
Peoples-Jones led the wideouts in offensive snaps (64, 89 percent share) but was behind both Amari Cooper (seven targets) and Elijah Moore (seven) in terms of opportunities. The Browns didn't unveil any new focus on their passing attack, as the ground game behind Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford reasserted its dominance on a rainy day in Cleveland. The team's run/pass mix favored the rush, 58 percent to 42 percent.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: One catch in final tuneup
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Peoples-Jones recorded one catch on one target for 21 yards in Saturday's 33-32 preseason loss to the Chiefs.
Peoples-Jones was on the field with Cleveland's starting offensive unit and was targeted on the second play of the game. While Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman were both added to the roster this offseason, Peoples-Jones has apparently retained his role as a top-three receiver to begin the regular season.
The Browns envision third-round draft pick Cedric Tillman as an eventual replacement for Peoples-Jones, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Peoples-Jones is coming off his best season, but an already loaded wideout corps got more crowded after the Browns added Tillman, a big-bodied X receiver that could excel in the red zone. It's unlikely Tillman has a big role at the start of the 2023 season, but a more pass-centric offense could provide him snaps to showcase the promise Cleveland sees in him. Despite the hype surrounding the draft pick, Peoples-Jones is expected to be one of the top three on the depth chart, along with Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Finishes off best season
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Peoples-Jones caught two of four targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Steelers in Week 18.
The 42 receiving yards were the most in four weeks for Peoples-Jones, who experienced a slight drop-off when a rusty Deshaun Watson took over as quarterback. Nevertheless, he established himself as a legitimate NFL receiver in 2022, his most productive of his three NFL seasons. He led the team's outside wideouts in catch percentage (63.5 percent), although his yards per target dropped to 8.7. He's positioned to be the club's No. 2 wide receiver behind Amari Cooper in 2023, when the Browns expect to have an improved Watson slinging the ball.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Makes most of one reception
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Peoples-Jones recorded one reception on three targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Commanders.
The Browns had a run-oriented offensive game plan, as Deshaun Watson attempted only 18 passes. Peoples-Jones had little opportunity as a result, but he managed to catch a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter after failing to haul in his first two targets of the contest. He now has two touchdowns in his last three games and three total for the season.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Not in sync with QB
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Peoples-Jones caught one of five targets for two yards in Saturday's 17-10 loss to the Saints.
Peoples-Jones had been the most productive receiver since Deshaun Watson took over as the starting quarterback, averaging five catches on six targets for 63 yards in three games with Watson, but the duo was not in sync Saturday. Given the nature of the Browns' struggling passing offense, Peoples-Jones may not be a good option for fantasy teams still in the hunt, but he's established himself as a viable NFL receiver in his third season.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Saves performance with touchdown
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Peoples-Jones recorded four receptions on four targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 13-3 win over the Ravens.
Peoples-Jones delivered what amounted to be the game-clinching score late in the third quarter with a three-yard touchdown reception. He was otherwise held in check, as his longest catch of the day went for 14 yards. Peoples-Jones remains a volatile option, tallying 45 or fewer receiving yards in three of his last five games. On the other hand, he has topped 70 receiving yards on six occasions for the campaign.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Season-high 114 yards in Week 14
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Peoples-Jones caught eight of 12 targets for 114 yards in Sunday's 23-10 loss to Cincinnati.
Peoples-Jones had a step on his man in the end zone on Cleveland's first drive, but Jacoby Brissett -- who was in for a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak bluff -- overthrew the wide receiver. He was also the intended receiver on Deshaun Watson's fourth-quarter interception as well as Watson's fourth-down incompletion from Cincinnati's six-yard line later in the fourth. Despite those low points, Peoples-Jones still managed to lead the team in targets, catches and receiving yards while Amari Cooper (hip) caught only two of seven targets for 42 yards. Peoples-Jones set season highs in all three of those categories, demonstrating strong chemistry with Watson heading into a Week 15 visit from the Ravens.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: WRs to Sit
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Peoples-Jones had a huge game in Week 13 at Houston, but it was because of his 76-yard punt return for a touchdown. Otherwise, he had a limited role in the passing game with three catches for 44 yards on three targets. I expect better production moving forward with Deshaun Watson, but I want to see it first before starting Peoples-Jones in the majority of leagues. The Bengals are also No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, so it could be a tough game for Peoples-Jones and Amari Cooper in Week 14.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Big impact in win
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Peoples-Jones caught all three of his targets for 44 yards and returned three punts for 86 yards, including a 76-yard return for a touchdown, in Sunday's 27-14 win over Houston.
Peoples-Jones provided a spark for the Browns with his punt return late in the second quarter to give Cleveland a lead it did not relinquish. The Texans were ahead 5-0 at the time in what was a sleepy affair for the Browns' offense, which was being quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson for the first time. Peoples-Jones' punt-return touchdown was the first for Cleveland since 2015. The wideout has developed into a reliable No. 2 receiver this season and has taken hold of the punt return chores after several others failed to do so.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Quiet day in Week 12 win
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Peoples-Jones brought in two of four targets for 16 yards and returned five punts for 75 yards in the Browns' 23-17 overtime win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Peoples-Jones made a big impact on special teams, leaving the Browns in favorable field position after all five of his punt returns. On offense, he put together a very quiet day in what was slated to be Jacoby Brissett's final game as the starting quarterback prior to Deshaun Watson's expected Week 13 debut against the Texans. Peoples-Jones had developed good chemistry with Brissett throughout the season, leading to a career-high 42 receptions for the third-year receiver. Peoples-Jones is also now four yards short of tying the career-best 597 receiving yards he recorded last season, and he should be a beneficiary of Watson's ability to get the ball deep in coming weeks.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Sleeper WRs
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Peoples-Jones just continues to produce, scoring at least 11 PPR points in five games in a row after he had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 11 against Buffalo in Detroit. We should see him in that range again in Week 12 against the Buccaneers, who have allowed seven receivers to score at least 12 PPR points in their past five games, with five touchdowns over that span. Amari Cooper is a must-start receiver in this matchup, especially since the game is in Cleveland, and Peoples-Jones should be considered a high-end No. 3 receiver in all leagues as well.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Sleepers
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Peoples-Jones just continues to produce, scoring at least 11 PPR points in five games in a row after he had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 11 against Buffalo in Detroit. We should see him in that range again in Week 12 against the Buccaneers, who have allowed seven receivers to score at least 12 PPR points in their past five games, with five touchdowns over that span. Amari Cooper is a must-start receiver in this matchup, especially since the game is in Cleveland, and Peoples-Jones should be considered a high-end No. 3 receiver in all leagues as well.
Peoples-Jones has proven to be a good No. 3 wide receiver with Jacoby Brissett, and he hasn't even needed touchdowns to do it. Starting next week he'll have Deshaun Watson, who is an enormous upgrade if he's the guy he was two years ago. Peoples-Jones has top-20 upside in the Fantasy playoffs.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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We've been saying for weeks now to add Peoples-Jones, and he continues to produce, scoring at least 11 PPR points in five games in a row. He just scored his first touchdown in Week 11 at Buffalo, and Deshaun Watson is coming back in Week 13, which will hopefully enhance the Fantasy value for Peoples-Jones, Amari Cooper and David Njoku. For Peoples-Jones, he is a definite starter in three-receiver leagues, and he could emerge as a starter in all two-receiver formats. He should be added for at least 15 percent of your remaining FAB where still available.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Continues rolling in Week 11 loss
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Peoples-Jones brought in five of six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 31-23 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Peoples-Jones checked in second in receptions and receiving yards on the afternoon for the Browns in another productive day in conjunction with Jacoby Brissett. He's logged seven consecutive games with at least 50 yards. The speedy wideout also recorded his first touchdown of the campaign when he brought in a two-yard scoring grab with 19 seconds remaining. Peoples-Jones has already generated a career-high 40 receptions and is just 21 yards short of his high-water mark of 597 yards while working with Brissett over his first nine games, and he'll have one more opportunity to do so in Week 12 versus the Buccaneers before Deshaun Watson (suspension) takes over in Week 13.
Peoples-Jones has 11 or more PPR Fantasy points in five of his last six games. That's all the more impressive when you realize he hasn't scored a touchdown all season. It will be tough to trust him in the snow in Week 11 against Buffalo, but he has league-winning upside once Deshaun Watson returns.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Week 11 Waiver Priority List
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The short-term for Peoples-Jones is he can be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, with his value slightly higher in PPR. He has scored at least 11 PPR points in four games in a row and five of his past six outings. In Week 10 at Miami, Peoples-Jones had five catches for 99 yards on nine targets for a season-best 14 PPR points. I think he should live in this range of 11-14 PPR points again in Week 11 at Buffalo and Week 12 against Tampa Bay, and then he could take off with his production in Week 13 and beyond once Deshaun Watson is active. I want People-Jones on all my rosters, and he's worth adding for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones: Team- and season-high yardage total
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Peoples-Jones secured five of nine targets for 99 yards in the Browns' 39-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Peoples-Jones paced the Browns in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon while tying and recording a season high in the first and second categories, respectively. The third-year speedster has clearly become a trusted target of Jacoby Brissett, now having logged at least five looks from the veteran quarterback in five of the last six contests. With at least 71 receiving yards in five contests over that span as well, Peoples-Jones' fantasy stock is on a firm upswing going into a Week 11 road matchup against the Bills.
