The Detroit Lions have a vacancy in their wide receiver group following Josh Reynolds’ departure, but one seasoned player is lagging in the race to fill it.
The team acquired receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native, through a trade last season. However, his impact was minimal, with only five receptions for 58 yards over eight games, including one start.
Peoples-Jones has faced challenges during training camp, with Jeff Risdon from USA Today’s Lions Wire noting that he “isn’t consistently getting open or putting pressure on the defense” as expected. This week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell issued a clear message to Peoples-Jones, stating, “I expect more” from the veteran.
Donovan Peoples-Jones Losing Ground in WR Battle
Campbell mentioned that several receivers had the opportunity to vie for the targets that were previously allocated to Reynolds, who was last year’s No. 2 wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. He acknowledged that while Peoples-Jones has been working hard in training camp, he hasn’t yet produced the desired results.
Donovan Peoples-Jones interview at training camp: man of few words sees 'great things' for Lions offense pic.twitter.com/Bmv6KvphFw
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) August 2, 2024
Campbell explained the situation, stating, “The goal was for him to come in and compete for the third or fourth receiver spot.” He continued, “We’re trying to determine who will fill the role left by Josh Reynolds. We need to figure out if it will be a collective effort or if someone will emerge as the clear replacement for him.”
Campbell emphasized that they were hoping for more from Peoples-Jones, who is aware of the expectations. He acknowledged that while Peoples-Jones is putting in effort and showing desire, he needs to elevate his performance further.
In the past, Peoples-Jones has demonstrated his reliability as an NFL target, with 61 receptions for 839 yards and 3 touchdowns during his 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Jameson Williams Rising in Detroit
The Lions might already have a replacement for Reynolds’ No. 2 spot. Jameson Williams, who missed most of his rookie season and faced a four-game suspension at the start of the 2023 season, has made a strong impression in training camp and received praise from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Johnson remarked, “We started noticing his potential towards the end of last year, and he has taken that to the next level in the spring and training camp.” He added, “Williams brings a lot of energy to the offense, making explosive plays in the passing game, and he’s also a valuable dynamic blocker.”
Despite a slow start to the 2023 season, Williams showcased his speed and playmaking ability in the final games. The former Alabama wide receiver recorded 11 catches for 159 yards over his last three games and had a standout performance in the postseason. In the NFC Championship game, he had two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, along with a 42-yard rushing touchdown.
