Donovan Peoples-Jones: A Dynasty Stash
Donovan Peoples-Jones is the prime example of a player you want on your dynasty taxi squad. A good, high-potential taxi squad is key to being a yearly contender in dynasty fantasy football. Those “long-term projects” who have all the skills but need some time to develop. The guys that “just need to put it all together”.
Related | Donovan Peoples-Jones: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
This month, I’m going to showcase a few players that are deserving of a spot in your taxi squad. They’re all uber-talented, and in a great situation, but just need time.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Peoples-Jones (DPJ) is one of those guys. He didn’t have the same higher-level production in college as other receivers but he has all of the physical and mental tools you need to be a top-tier receiver in the NFL.
A Fall From The Stars
A former five-star recruit, Peoples-Jones was both of one of the best receivers in his class, and one of the best players in Michigan. Going to Michigan for college football seemed like destiny. However, Jim Harbaugh’s offensive scheme never capitalized on DPJ’s talent.
His highest number of receptions was 47 back in 2018 when he went for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. He only led his team in receptions once, which was his 2018 campaign—all of this despite being the most talented player on the team. Spotty ball-placement from quarterback Shea Patterson and an overall inefficient offense hid DPJ’s talent.
When the ball did go his way, Peoples-Jones made scouts drool. Inaccurate balls let him show off his insane catch radius. He even snatched balls aimed at his ankles, impressive for a 6-2 receiver who should be expecting the ball high and away from the cornerback.
With every physical tool you want in a receiver, Peoples-Jones is more explosive and nearly as fast than fellow wide receiver and 2020 draftee Denzel Mims, a future dynasty WR1. Big Ten defenders must have had nightmares after Peoples-Jones burnt them. The fact that he played mainly in the slot meant that he was an even bigger mismatch, using his 6-2 frame and 200-plus pounds to bully slot corners.
He isn’t a nuanced route-runner, but he’s so physical and explosive at the line of scrimmage (LOS) that it is extremely difficult to press him. Peoples-Jones is great at hand-fighting both at the LOS and downfield. Peoples-Jones often created enough separation for an average quarterback to hit him on a deep fade or go-route, but Patterson looked the other way.
Peoples-Jones will be a better pro than a college player.
Peoples-Jones Is Simply An Elite Athlete
The former Michigan Wolverine knows how to use his speed and explosiveness to create separation on routes and in the open field. His ability to pick up yards in a hurry is best seen on punt returns where he averaged 8.3 yards per return despite not possessing the same “wiggle” as other returners.
Peoples-Jones can turn anything into a home-run, returning a punt for a touchdown in both his freshman and sophomore years.
He also has a great nose for the end-zone. One-sixth of his receptions went for a touchdown in 2019. Fade routes allowed Peoples-Jones to use his 44.5-inch vertical (wow), to go up and get it. Very few NFL athletes can compete with that, let alone collegiate. It’s a wonder that Harbaugh didn’t feed him more often.
The new Browns receiver has everything.
Size? Check, especially for someone that will be playing in the slot.
Speed? Check.
Explosiveness? Check check check.
Location, Location, Location
The Browns are actually a great destination for Peoples-Jones after he slipped to the sixth-round. He was initially projected as a top-100 pick but due to the depth of the wide-receiver class and his lack of production, he slipped down the board.
The main reason why Cleveland is perfect for Peoples-Jones is that they have two elite receivers on their roster in Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ) and Jarvis Landry. OBJ and Landry are also two of the league’s best route-runners. If anyone can show him how to create more separation, it will be these guys.
More specifically, Landry is one of the best slot receivers in recent memory. He’s a savvy veteran who gets open despite not possessing elite athleticism. He is also a great mentor and leader, and Peoples-Jones can learn a lot from him. The biggest knock on Peoples-Jones is his lack of polish in his route-running.
The young receiver needs time to develop to become a legitimate NFL wideout. Thankfully, he can sit and learn behind two elite receivers. Peoples-Jones could pull the same move as Kanas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who also had all of the physical talent, and have a redshirt year where he just returns punts and comes in on four-receiver sets. Cleveland has no need to rush him with wide receiver Rashard Higgins on the roster. When he’s ready, he’ll step into a starting role in one of the league’s best offenses.
Peoples-Jones Future Opportunities
OBJ and Landry are hitting their prime now. They’re going to stick around in Cleveland for quite a while, which means Peoples-Jones is relegated to WR3. However, WR3 could be a pretty big role in Cleveland over the next few years. Tight end David Njoku is looking to get out and running back Kareem Hunt will eventually move on, whether it’s through free agency or via trade. The Browns can’t afford to pay top-dollar for him and fellow running back Nick Chubb.
As quarterback Baker Mayfield grows, the Browns could become the next Dallas Cowboys, as he a bonafide star.
WR3 could mean 70-plus targets for Peoples-Jones within two years. If Landry or OBJ experience injuries or there are any major moves, DPJ’s value will only rise. As they age, Peoples-Jones will become the focal point of their offense as he enters his prime. Peoples-Jones is only 21 years old. He’s young, hungry, and he is in one of the best young offenses in the league. He has a strong chance to become Mayfield’s favorite target in the future.
He’s worth a taxi squad spot considering his huge potential. He’s currently an absolute steal, so when you’re looking for upside, take Peoples-Jones and watch him grow into a dynasty stud.
