The Los Angeles Chargers or New Orleans Saints may sign Lions cut candidate wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones before the regular season begins. According to a report, the Lions were able to add depth to their receiving corps after making a trade last season with the Browns but Detroit may be moving on. USA Today’s Lions wire predicts that the team could chop the depth chart by cutting Peoples-Jones and keeping four starting wideouts. The Lions are facing tough decisions in the position this season but the chances of putting Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as starters are high.
Kalif Raymond and Isaiah Williams may make the roster as the reserves unless the Lions want to keep Peoples-Jones at WR4 at the last minute. However, if they pick Raymond and Williams as reserves then that would mean former Kansas City receiver Daurice Fountain wouldn’t make the 53-man roster either. The Lions originally brought Peoples-Jones in a trade for depth since Marvin Jones Jr. was dealing with personal family matters. Detroit has enough talent around Jared Goff so they might not be missing much from the tall playmaker.
He has the size and versatility that could intrigue any roster looking for depth even after just appearing in eight games and starting one for just five catches, notching 58 yards. The Chargers may benefit from this tall receiver since letting go of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason. Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer have the same size but they could still benefit from Peoples-Jones if they don’t work out. However, the Saints are looking for an inside receiver and Peoples-Jones could play both including the outside.
He won’t beat out Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed but he would be an efficient WR3 to give Derek Carr another weapon.
Chargers, Saints May Sign Lions Cut Candidate Donovan Peoples-Jones
Other Potential Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will likely walk into this season with a small Kadarius Toney and an unproven Mecole Hardman. However, Kansas City made the move to release Marquez Valdes-Scantling which could open the door for Peoples-Jones to replicate his skillset but may be a better addition if he performs well. Patrick Mahomes needs a tall playmaker either way since Rashee Rice is their only weapon that can catch those deep balls. Xavier Worthy has that potential too but he’s a rookie and has plenty of years ahead of him to progress.
Even if Marquise Brown comes back from injury, it would be smart for Andy Reid to push in on the inside to take care of the slot routes. The good thing is that Peoples-Jones can do both and playing for the defending Super Bowl champions could finally show what he could do behind one of the best offenses in the league.
Baltimore Ravens
If any team in the NFL needs an extra receiver, it’s the Ravens. Rashod Bateman has been struggling to replicate Zay Flowers‘ on-field abilities. A Nelson Agholor isn’t replacing what Odell Beckham Jr. was able to help this offense do since he’s not lasting more than a year. Peoples-Jones won’t completely restructure the passing game but it gives Lamar Jackon another weapon to throw deep to a legitimate ball hog. Baltimore will likely depend on the running game and play-action plays so Peoples-Jones would probably be the perfect slot receiver for that scenario.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles look like they’re stocking up themselves a super team this season after trading for Jahan Dotson this week. This means it’s DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker and Dotson now filling their WR3. However, Jalen Hurts could probably benefit from having a couple of reserve wideouts in case any of them suffers an injury. Peoples-Jones may not have the same talent but he provides quality insurance and could probably make an immediate impact.
