Key 3rd year for DPJ

Browns insider Tony Grossi believes “opportunity [is] knocking” for 3rd-year WR Donovan Peoples-Jones. Grossi notes that Will Fuller — connected to Cleveland long before today — could be an option down the road. But Peoples-Jones’ stock at least looks stable in the short-term, assuming free agent Jarvis Landry plays elsewhere. The Browns selected 2 WRs in the draft — David Bell in Round 3 and Michael Woods in Round 6 — but DPJ will enter camp as the favorite to start with Amari Cooper. The real key here is just how many games Deshaun Watson will miss due to suspension.

Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones drew a season-high 12 targets in Sunday's loss to the Bengals, leading the team in that category, receptions (8) and receiving yards (114). He led Amari Cooper by 5 pass routes in a game Cooper entered questionable with a hip issue. Cooper did check in 3rd on the team with 7 targets but caught only 2 (for 42 yards). His usage bodes well for his Week 15 role. TE David Njoku finished between the wideouts with 9 targets, catching 7 balls for 59 yards and the team's lone TD.

Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones led the team in receiving yards Sunday, but it only took 44 of them to do so. DPJ did that on 3 catches, among 3 targets. That was good enough to rank 2nd on the team. Only WR Amari Cooper drew more targets (9) or caught more passes (4). Peoples-Jones made his day with a 76-yard punt return for a TD, though, saving his fantasy line in any league that credits players for return TDs.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones led the Browns in targets (11), receptions (6) and receiving yards (60) in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He beat WR Amari Cooper by 5 targets, while RB Kareem Hunt was the only other Cleveland player to catch more than 3 balls or crack 20 receiving yards. Cooper managed just a 3-17 receiving line on his 6 looks. Anthony Schwartz drew the only other 2 targets among WRs.

Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is "already a favorite" of QB Deshaun Watson, insider Albert Breer wrote after attending training camp. That follows last week's report that the front office and coaching staff are "big believers" in DPJ. The 3rd-year wideout appears to be in the driver's seat for a starting job and could deliver nice fantasy value at least when Watson is eligible to play.

Per Browns insider Scott Petrak, “the front office and coaching staff are big believers” in WR Donovan Peoples-Jones. Petrak writes that DJP will get “every chance” to start alongside Amari Cooper. The 3rd-year man was always a likely starter, but it’s nice to get confirmation ahead of training camp. DPJ’s fantasy value remains tied to the suspension status of Deshaun Watson.