Friday is an exciting day around the NFL because it marks the start of rookie minicamps for several teams. After a decent portion of the league held their annual event last week, the Detroit Lions are one of the several teams that are starting their minicamps on Friday, offering a three-day glimpse at this year's promising rookie class.
With that in mind, rookie minicamps aren't exclusive to first-year players. NFL teams often use the event as an opportunity to try out veteran free agents who are still looking for contracts, including a recent Lions receiver who just scored a tryout with a fellow NFC franchise.
Former Lions WR Donovan Peoples-Jones Invited to Saints Rookie Minicamp
The New Orleans Saints unveiled their 2025 rookie minicamp roster on Thursday night, and their list of attendees included someone whom Lions fans are familiar with: veteran wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
#Saints Rookie Minicamp Roster pic.twitter.com/WdYGGoY4vU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 9, 2025
Peoples-Jones, 26, is a veteran receiver who was drafted 187th overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2020. The former Michigan Wolverine showed some WR2/3 potential during his time with the Browns, converting 117 receptions into 1,837 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 50 games before being traded to the Lions ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.
Lions fans hoped that Peoples-Jones would make an immediate impact after posting a 61-839-3 stat line during the 2023 season. Instead, the Detroit native left the fanbase frustrated as he only mustered five catches for 58 yards without a touchdown in eight appearances before failing to catch a single ball in three postseason outings.
Although he re-signed with the Lions during the 2024 offseason, Peoples-Jones didn't end up making a single appearance last season, spending it all on the practice squad. Going a year without playing will damage any player's stock, so it isn't surprising that the veteran WR had to resort to a minicamp tryout.
It hasn't been all bad for Peoples-Jones, though. The former All-Big Ten wideout posted on Tuesday that he's been "sober from alcohol" for over two years, which is the type of inspirational message that could convince a WR-needy team — the Saints or anyone else — that he can contribute both on and off the gridiron.
Lions fans and Peoples-Jones supporters should have a better idea of what the future holds for the veteran wideout after the Saints' rookie minicamp ends on Saturday.