During rookie minicamp, the Saints try out former Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

The New Orleans Saints may have their eyes on a seasoned yet still young wide receiver to bolster their receiving corps. As rookie minicamp opened this weekend in Metairie, Louisiana, the Saints welcomed former Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones for a tryout—a calculated move that could bring both experience and untapped potential to a team in transition.

While the minicamp was predominantly about evaluating draft picks, undrafted free agents, and first-year players, the Saints used the opportunity to take a close look at Peoples-Jones. At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, the former Michigan standout brought a veteran’s presence to the practice fields, albeit in a tryout capacity. And for a receiver room that has seen both promise and volatility in recent years, his presence could represent a low-risk, high-reward addition.

Peoples-Jones was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2020 NFL Draft and has had an uneven yet intriguing career trajectory. He was once one of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation out of Cass Tech High School in Detroit, choosing to stay in-state with the University of Michigan. Though his college career never fully lived up to five-star expectations due to scheme inconsistencies and quarterback instability, NFL scouts remained intrigued by his blend of size, speed, and intelligence.

In Cleveland, Peoples-Jones found early opportunities as a deep threat and special teams contributor. His best season came in 2022 when he caught 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns while serving as the Browns’ No. 2 receiver alongside Amari Cooper. However, his role diminished significantly in 2023, leading to a midseason trade to the Detroit Lions. His stint in Detroit was relatively quiet, as he caught just five passes for 58 yards in eight games.

Now entering what would be his fifth NFL season, Peoples-Jones is at a crossroads—still just 25 years old, with enough past production to draw interest, yet no guaranteed roster spot. The Saints’ tryout could be a launching point for his next chapter.

From a roster-building perspective, the Saints have multiple reasons to explore options at wide receiver. While Chris Olave continues to cement himself as the clear No. 1 option, depth behind him remains unsettled.

Veteran Michael Thomas, once among the NFL’s elite, was released this offseason after years plagued by injury. Rashid Shaheed flashed in 2023 with his speed and big-play ability, but he’s still considered a developmental piece. Beyond that, the Saints’ receiver room includes names like A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden Jr., and rookie Bub Means—each with intriguing traits but unproven consistency.

Adding someone like Peoples-Jones, who has shown he can be productive in the right role, makes sense. He’s a physical wideout who has lined up both outside and in the slot, and he offers special teams value as a punt returner—something head coach Dennis Allen and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi both value highly.

Given the Saints’ cap situation and roster structure, signing a veteran on a team-friendly deal would be a low-risk investment, especially one who already has in-game experience and can contribute in multiple phases.

The Saints’ offense, under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, is expected to look different in 2025. Kubiak, formerly of the 49ers and Vikings, brings a West Coast-style system rooted in play-action, motion, and timing. Wide receivers in this scheme must be precise route runners with strong hands and the ability to create after the catch.

Peoples-Jones, while not known as a route technician, is a smooth mover with deceptive deep speed. His 2022 tape in Cleveland showed a player who could thrive off play-action and find soft spots in zone coverage. He’s not the type of receiver who will dazzle with elite quickness, but his ability to high-point the football and body up defenders gives quarterbacks a reliable intermediate and red-zone target.

Should he make the Saints’ roster, Peoples-Jones could see a role similar to what Jauan Jennings played in San Francisco—another big-bodied receiver who isn’t the primary target but is trusted on third downs and in physical matchups.

For Peoples-Jones, this tryout might represent the beginning of a last stand in the NFL. The league has seen a wave of younger, faster wideouts enter the draft in recent years, increasing competition and decreasing patience for veterans who don’t immediately separate themselves.

Yet, Peoples-Jones’ relatively young age, special teams utility, and past production give him a fighting chance to catch on somewhere. If it’s not New Orleans, his appearance at rookie minicamp could put him back on the radar for other teams looking for depth and experience.

For the Saints, giving him a look now helps them evaluate whether he’s worth bringing into full OTAs or training camp later this summer. With so much roster churn typical at the bottom of NFL depth charts, these kinds of moves often go under the radar until players start making plays in preseason.

While Peoples-Jones is still young, he brings over four years of NFL experience—something that could benefit younger players in New Orleans’ receiver room. Players like A.T. Perry and Shaheed are still adjusting to the speed and nuance of the pro game, and a veteran like Peoples-Jones can help serve as a bridge between the rookies and the established names like Olave.

His work ethic has drawn praise in both Cleveland and Detroit, even when his role diminished. Multiple Browns teammates referred to him as a “quiet professional”—someone who comes to work every day, knows his assignments, and doesn’t cause distractions. That approach aligns well with the culture the Saints have tried to maintain under Dennis Allen.

Even if the Saints sign Peoples-Jones, the path to the 53-man roster will not be easy. With several young receivers battling for roles and undrafted free agents trying to make a splash, every rep will matter.

Peoples-Jones must showcase he’s not just a name, but a player still capable of contributing—whether on offense, special teams, or both. He’ll need to outshine younger players with similar skillsets and carve out a niche. In past seasons, the Saints have kept six receivers on the roster, often with the sixth being a strong special teams player. That could be his ticket in.

The Saints’ decision to bring in Peoples-Jones during rookie minicamp speaks to a broader reality in today’s NFL: talent can be found anywhere, and every offseason is an open audition.

For Peoples-Jones, the journey from Michigan to Cleveland, then Detroit, and now a potential fresh start in New Orleans, reflects the unpredictable nature of pro football careers. Some players peak early, others find a second wind in new systems or under different coaching staffs. The Saints are giving him a platform to prove he still belongs.

In a league driven by matchups, injuries, and development, having reliable depth is a luxury. Peoples-Jones won’t be a headline signing if he earns a deal—but he could be the kind of player that ends up making key third-down grabs in a critical December game, or quietly contributing to a playoff push.

While the Saints’ rookie minicamp is primarily about the future, the presence of Donovan Peoples-Jones reminds everyone that opportunity in the NFL doesn’t follow a straight path. Whether he ultimately makes the roster or not, his tryout underscores the Saints’ willingness to explore all avenues to improve.

And for Peoples-Jones, this is about more than just making a team—it’s about proving to the league, and perhaps to himself, that he’s far from finished.