4 Cleveland Browns whose stock is down after messy Texans win

2. Cleveland Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

I don’t think we were expecting Donovan Peoples-Jones to be Paul Warfield, but wow, after a stellar preseason and training camp, the 2020 sixth-round pick has been invisible in this offense.

He was targeted just once in Week 1. Against the Texans, he ran 22 routes, according to PFF, and was targeted just once. He caught that pass, good for 14 yards, but then proceeded to cough it up immediately after being hit.

The passing game never seemed to get on track on Sunday, as Mayfield competed just three passes to his receivers in the first half. His tight ends clearly did the bulk of the work with Harrison Bryant logging four catches for 49 yards.

After Mayfield injured his shoulder in the first half, Kevin Stefanski stated that the Browns limited the risk in what they asked their quarterback to do.  Clearly, Cleveland turned away from any threats downfield.

Week 3 will be a big one for DPJ because eventually, Mayfield’s going to need a receiver to make a play. Jarvis Landry won’t be playing and while bringing Odell Beckham back to fill that void would be a great story, you just can’t count on OBJ.