5 wide receivers Commanders must consider signing after Week 10 miscues

Commanders could sign Donovan Peoples-Jones 

• Detroit Lions practice squad

Donovan Peoples-Jones looked like he was destined for greatness during the 2022 season. The physically imposing wide receiver was a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, putting his vast wing span and body control to good use en route to a career year.

This was something recognized by the Detroit Lions, who traded for the pass-catcher in 2023. Things didn't go nearly as well in a different environment, although Peoples-Jones did make it back onto the practice squad to avoid being excluded entirely this season.

The Lions are on a tear as expected and look like the team to beat in the NFC. Acquiring Peoples-Jones would give the Washington Commanders another dynamic weapon that could also provide some useful insider knowledge on a team they might meet in the postseason at some stage.

Peoples-Jones has a career yards per catch average of 15.5. He's a field stretcher who ran 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Giving him a shot over some of Washington's underperforming wideouts wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

Commanders could sign Julio Jones

I wonder what Julio Jones is up to these days?

The All-Pro wide receiver and future Pro Football Hall of Famer hasn't found a new club this season after spending 2023 on the fringes of the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones is far from the dominant force of old as father time catches up with the former first-round pick out of Alabama, but he knows Dan Quinn well from their time together in Atlanta.

Jones is almost 36 years old, so this might not be an option looking at the way general manager Adam Peters has molded the roster up to now. But using him in specialist packages and red-zone situations would take attention away from others.

That might sound strange given his age and lack of production over the last two years. However, Jones' reputation precedes him and would be respected by opposing defensive coordinators.

One must question what sort of football shape Jones would be in and just how much motivation the wideout has to get back involved even if the Commanders did make an offer. This is fun to think about, but it's a non-starter despite his connection to Quinn.

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