The Cleveland Browns selected wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones with their sixth-round pick, No. 187 overall. It’s an interesting pick and later than most expected the athletically-gifted Peoples-Jones to come off the board.
Peoples-Jones was once one of the top recruits in the nation and joined Michigan with significant fanfare. He played right away and made an impact, earning Freshman All-American honors for his work as a field-stretching outside receiver and a punt returner.
After that, his career stagnated. Peoples-Jones remains an exceptional athlete — his 44.5-inch vertical jump topped all 2020 NFL Scouting Combine entrants. But his football game largely remains where it was in 2017. His route running doesn’t play to his vertical speed; he doesn’t vary his steps or change gears well, and his lateral agility seems uncomfortable.
He offers the Browns good draft value in the sixth round and considerable upside as a return specialist. As a receiver, he has the potential to take over Rashard Higgins’ role as the third outside wide receiver. He could benefit quite a bit from more reliable QB play and less predictability from the offense, both of which hindered his development at Michigan.
