Donovan Peoples-Jones Starts Contract Year Against Opponent He's Enjoyed the Most Success

Donovan Peoples-Jones is in a contract year and the Cleveland Browns open their season against the team DPJ has had the most success, the Cincinnati Bengals.

In part because he's just quiet as well as the potential to be the fourth option in the Cleveland Browns passing game, there isn't much buzz around Donovan Peoples-Jones coming off of the best season of his career. With everything to play for as he hopes to earn a lucrative contract, DPJ starts out the season playing against the team where he's enjoyed the most success; the Cincinnati Bengals.

With so much attention on the multitude of ways the Browns plan to use Kevin Stefanski's newest toy Elijah Moore, Amari Cooper as the no doubt number one receiver and David Njoku poised to become a star tight end, the understated DPJ continues to work without much fanfare.

DPJ was effective as the third option in the Browns 2022 offense. He showed a knack for making contested catches and became far more comfortable with the ball in his hands both as a receiver and punt returner.

Through three seasons, DPJ's best moments have often come against the Cincinnati Bengals. The first touchdown reception of his career was a game winner against the Bengals as a rookie. 

He caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield in a Browns victory over the Bengals in his second season.

And in two games in 2022, DPJ caught a combined 12 passes for a combined 195 yards including 8 receptions for 112 yards with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, albeit in a losing effort. DPJ is averaging 75 receiving yards in five games against the Bengals.

That's before the Browns acquired Elijah Moore. When DPJ is running vertical routes on the outside, it's not likely to change the matchups he's facing, but between some of the mesh concepts and condensed formations that have become Kevin Stefanski staples, that could create more opportunities for DPJ to make plays as the defense is trying to account with Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and David Njoku.

And they still have to stop the best running back in the league, Nick Chubb.

One of the more interesting questions heading into this season is what does DPJ's role look like with the addition of Moore. It might stand to reason the number of targets he's getting will drop, but if there are more passes and better efficiency, DPJ's production could remain steady even if his share of targets drops this season. In other words, he's eating the same amount from a larger pie.

If DPJ has a productive outing against the Bengals, it could be just another in a line of strong performances against the Browns instate rival, but Stefanski's offense has historically performed its best when taking what the defense is giving them regardless of who is getting the ball.

Beyond simply evaluating the personnel defenses like the Bengals have, the Browns have enough weapons to force defensive coaching staffs to focus on priorities. With Watson, these receivers and the Browns running game, it's a massive undertaking to try to simply play them straight up.

Focusing extra attention on stopping the run may leave a team vulnerable to the passing game. Meanwhile, staying back with two-high looks is an invitation for the Browns to run the ball. That figures to be a weekly chess match between the Browns offense and opposing defense.

For Donovan Peoples-Jones, he may have had one of the quietest offseasons on the team, but he's shown the ability to make noise with his play both as a receiver and punt returner. A strong start for DPJ would be great for the Browns,  but he wants to put his best foot forward as he looks to maximize his value in a contract year.