Cleveland Browns fans know what wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. are capable of accomplishing on the football field.
During the 2021 preseason, they are also getting a preview of what second-year player Donovan Peoples-Jones (DPJ) can do.
Spoiler alert: he has been on fire during camp and the preseason.
#Browns WR, Donovan Peoples-Jones has been lights out so far in training camp. 🔥
"We have high expectations for him"- WR Coach Chad O'Shea 🌟
Year Two for DPJ coming soon. 👀
(🎥 per @Browns) @dpeoplesjones pic.twitter.com/c8mSytcdvI
— The Hottest Take (@Hottest_TakePod) August 19, 2021
While many assumed Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins had a lock on the WR3 position when camp began, no one will be surprised if DPJ ends up running away with the job.
Here are two things to know about DPJ.
He Is Clutch
DPJ showed us glimpses last year of his ability to make big plays at key moments in the game.
THE ROOKIE DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES GAME WINNER🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 25, 2020
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reflected on DPJ’s rookie year.
“He came up big for us in moments last year. A really smart player, a conscientious kid who we could put in there and trust him to do the job. He certainly earned our trust over the course of time.”
This season, DPJ keeps grinding away and making catches, one after another at training camp.
This is Donovan Peoples-Jones' camp. #Browns pic.twitter.com/CdSSGNJ6WD
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 19, 2021
Donovan Peoples-Jones once again dominating #Browns. pic.twitter.com/j4Y8MOKjFu
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) August 25, 2021
Coach Stefanski talked about how his hard work and attentiveness are paying dividends.
“The things we asked him to work on, he came back and you saw progress in those things. That’s what’s most encouraging.”
His Talent Is No Secret
Just ask Urban Meyer what he thinks about DPJ.
He still talks about how pained he was that the receiver picked Michigan over Ohio State because the Buckeyes recruited him hard.
When the Browns snagged him in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Meyer called it a steal.
He thought DPJ should have been a top-10 pick.
Great insight on new #Browns draft pick Donovan Peoples Jones from @CoachUrbanMeyer via @Birm pic.twitter.com/DZCXjdePxx
— Dustin Fox (@DustinFox37) April 26, 2020
“I coached against him. He’s one of the best punt returners. I don’t want to get into did they use him right and all of that because I don’t know all of that. But Donovan Peoples-Jones in high school football was one of the best receivers I’ve ever, ever seen.’’
2021 Could Be DPJ’s Breakout Year
Browns wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea, who has three Super Bowl rings as the wide receivers coach for the New England Patriots, is a great mentor for DPJ.
O’Shea, who coached the likes of Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, likes what he sees in the young receiver’s development.
“Extremely impressive guy Donovan is. He has great professionalism. He works extremely hard. He is outstanding in his assignment. He’s somebody who just does not say a lot. He goes out there and does it by his actions.”
O’Shea noted one of DPJ’s biggest improvements is in his ability to make contested catches.
“That’s something that Donovan has worked extremely hard on is his ability to make contested catches. He’s got good strength, that’s one of his characteristics within his skill set that is in his favor, and he needs to play to that.”
Browns fans hope to see DPJ in the end zone many times this season making contested touchdown catches.
NEXT: Myles Garrett Is Right About What He Would Do To Logan Paul