As could have been expected to some degree, it has been a quite trade deadline day for the Detroit Lions. But a scheduled press conference for about an hour before the 4 p.m. ET deadline yielded news from general manager Brad Holmes.
According to Holmes and parallel reports, the Lions have acquired wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Marvin Jones' decision to step away from football due to a personal matter last week left the Lions' lacking at wide receiver. Holmes said he as looking to add a receiver with Jones' absence, and Peoples-Jones is seen as a great fit.
Peoples-Jones was a sixth-round in the 2020 draft by the Browns, out of the University of Michigan. He is also a Detroit native (Cass Tech).
Peoples-Jones had the best season of his career in 2022, with 61 receptions for 839 yards and three touchdowns. He played 83 percent of the Browns' offensive snaps over the first seven games this season, but he has just eight catches for 97 yards on the season.
How Donovan Peoples-Jones fits into the Detroit Lions' wide receiver room
Peoples-Jones has also returned kickoff and punts during his career, and with kickoff returner Khalil Dorsey suffering a knee injury on Monday night the Lions may have a need there.
Via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, Holmes talked about what Peoples-Jones brings to the table.
"He brings versatility," "He’s a big guy, he’s got good contested catch skills. He can play outside, he can play inside. He’s a very smart player. He’s been very, very durable. He fits everything that we’re about, so I think he’ll fit in just fine. He’s just another flavor that we’re adding to our mix. It’s a lot of things that he can do for us and we’ll just see how quickly we can get him acclimated."
Head coach Dan Campbell noted how he felt like the Lions were "one injury away" from depth at outside receiver being an issue and Peoples-Jones will help there.
A trade for a depth wide receiver isn't the kind of move many Lions' fans wanted to see at the trade deadline. But Holmes all but confirmed no more deals were coming, so this will be it.