DPJ leads receiving; Cooper struggles

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.

Browns beat writer Zac Jackson believes “the chances are high” that the team adds a veteran WR. No available player would impact Amari Cooper’s role. But we could see competition for the young guys behind him: Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell and Anthony Schwartz. Will Fuller, Julio Jones and T.Y. Hilton are some of the big-name WRs still available. Odell Beckham (ACL) is worth a mention, too, but Jackson doesn’t believe a reunion is likely.