The Detroit Lions didn't make a big splash at the NFL trade deadline, but they did make a solid addition in the form of wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Peoples-Jones was on the trading block as the Cleveland Browns had little use for him, and the Lions were able to bring him home (he's a Detroit native) for the low price of a 2025 sixth-round pick.
The Lions celebrated People-Jones' full-circle return with a nice hype video.
Meant to be, @dpeoplesjones pic.twitter.com/NEVMBUtRj6
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 2, 2023
Within the clip, the words of Peoples-Jones from the 2020 NFL Combin when he discussed potentially playing for the Lions are revisited.
"That would mean everything. Growing up from there, going to Michigan, maybe if I went to Detroit that would be everything. I love the Lions, love everything about the Lions."
Immediately after the trade, Peoples-Jones shared his excitement with a throwback photo.
🏠@dpeoplesjones pic.twitter.com/wGrKXRE403
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 1, 2023
Now, Peoples-Jones will get a chance to live out a dream and play for his hometown team as they make a push to the playoffs.
Donovan Peoples-Jones will help fortify Detroit Lions' wide receiver depth
Early this season, a big question was whether the Lions would have enough wide receiver depth to sustain themselves all year.
So far, the Lions have been lucky not to see a major injury at the position. Amon-Ra St. Brown has stayed relatively healthy, and the Lions got Jameson Williams back from suspension. They've seen a solid season from Josh Reynolds, and still have Kalif Raymond even after the departure of Marvin Jones.
The addition of Peoples-Jones fits due to the homecoming angle, but he has also proven to be a solid deep threat in the league with a career average of 15.7 yards per catch. He offers an element the Lions' could use on a more consistent basis.
Clearly, both the Lions and Peoples-Jones are excited to get this relationship going in the second half of the season and see where it leads.