20/20: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Matthew Griffith Posted On February 8, 2020

Welcome to the 20/20 series. As part of our continued Dynasty Scouts coverage and in preparation for the NFL Combine, we profile 20 of the top incoming rookies of the class of 2020 by giving you 20 facts you must know.

1.) Player Name – Donovan People-Jones

2.) College – University of Michigan

3.) Height/ Weight – 6’2”, 208 pounds

4.) Birthdate – 02/19/1999 (20 years old)

5.) Class – Junior

6.) Basic college stats:

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Stats courtesy of sports-reference.com

7.) NFL draft round projection – This is where confusion kicks in. I’ve seen more than one mock that has him in the first round, but I would be truly shocked if he was taken prior to round three. This wide receiver class has enough top-end talent and depth to push DPJ down draft boards.

8.) Current NFL comp – I feel like Peoples-Jones best current comparison is Mohamed Sanu. Both players are very athletic, versatile and best utilized when plays are designed to get the ball into their hands on short crossing routes, slants, and seam routes.

9.) Best possible destination – The best spots are teams that aren’t desperate for a WR1. I’d like to see him land in Atlanta to fill that void that Sanu left last season. The Los Angeles Chargers are another team that could benefit from his talent. Keenan Allen provides veteran leadership, Mike Williams brings that bigger bodied, big play ability. They have been searching for a defined WR3, and DPJ could be that guy, especially if Hunter Henry moves on.

Another spot I like, not necessarily for fantasy purposes, but for real-life football value: Minnesota. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen have been great, but the shuffle of Olabisi Johnson and Laquon Treadwell at the WR3 spot could use an upgrade in talent like DPJ.

10.) Worst possible destination – As I mentioned before, I wouldn’t be happy seeing him land on a receiver-needy team, because he has a lot to learn before he could be reliable. A few other teams I think would be bad fits are the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, and the Tennessee Titans. The Titans already have a really talented, athletic receiver that they don’t use. The Dolphins have two big bodies in DeVante Parker and Preston Williams and would benefit more from a traditional slot/possession receiver. The Patriots already have Sanu and are looking for a replacement to Tom Brady.

11.) Best current skill – Athleticism. I have a feeling that DPJ is one of the guys that if you gave him a baseball bat, he’d be a pretty good hitter. If you gave him a bowling ball, he’d be throwing strikes. He’s probably good at everything. His stats and college production haven’t been there, but he’s still one of the best athletes on the field every Saturday.

12.) Skill that needs to be improved – I could easily say the skill that needs the most work is quickness, or refinement on his route running, but the trait that pains me the most is his release off of the line of scrimmage. Fundamentally it drives me nuts. He has a wasted half step on every snap. It’s actually part of the reason why he lacks quickness and acceleration off the line.

13.) Past/ current rookie ADP – DLF 2020 rookie rankings has DPJ currently ranked as the 24th overall rookie in a single quarterback format.

14.) Projected dynasty value – If DPJ gets any part of the draft capital some people are projecting, his ADP could easily jump into the middle of the second round and he will absolutely not make any of my rosters. I think the best case for him is a Sanu-type career, but I don’t see much more than that.

15.) Recruiting profile – His high school prospect file is arguably his greatest attribute. 247sports had him as five-star recruit and the number one wide receiver in the nation. He was also the top player in the state of Michigan and the 12th overall player in the country.

16.) Versatility – DPJ has shown his abilities in the receiving game, but he’s also skilled as a returner and in the run game. I think it would be wise for an offensive system to utilize him similarly to how San Francisco used Deebo Samuel this past season, because his athleticism is something that should be capitalized on and incorporated into the play calling.

17.) Quarterback play – John O’Korn, Brandon Peters, Wilton Speight and Shea Patterson. We have seen some receivers be QB-proof, but it was a tough task for the entire wide receiving group, not just DPJ. I think we were all hopeful that Patterson would make a jump from 2018 to 2019 but it just wasn’t there this year. Over the past three years, the quarterback play at Michigan accounted for an average of 56 percent completion percentage and 2,629 yards per season.

18.) Michigan wide receivers – Peoples-Jones played alongside Tarik Black, Nico Collins, and Ronnie Bell this past season who all have some levels of talent and upside. DPJ’s underwhelming season wasn’t an isolated situation. The entire offense underwhelmed. DPJ was third on the team in receptions with 34, while Nico Collins finished second with only 37. Tarik Black won’t be continuing his career in Ann Arbor as he recently entered the transfer portal.

19.) Combine – DPJ has ability and talent that will pop at the combine and will inevitably pique the interest of NFL organizations, analysts, and dynasty owners interest. Peoples-Jones won the 2015 Nike Football Ratings Championship and posted a 42” vertical and a 4.42 40-yard dash. He’s gotten bigger since then, but he’s also stronger and more mature. He should have himself a day.

20.) Injury history – There really isn’t anything to speak of here. He did miss a game early on this season to a foot injury, but it appeared to be more cautionary than anything else. Injuries can happen at any time, but it’s great that he hasn’t had any lingering issues that could follow him to the NFL.