Over the weekend, the K.C. Chiefs conducted their annual rookie minicamp, a welcome sign of player activity after last year’s completely cancelled in-person offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the process each year, the Chiefs not only have their official draft picks and rookie free agent signings on hand, but they also invite several other players to try out for the team this year as well—fringe players just hoping to turn the heads of coaches if given a chance.
This year, one player who apparently made his mark on the front office and Chiefs coaches is wide receiver Daurice Fountain. Per his agent, Fountain landed a one-year deal with the Chiefs on Monday.
Excited for client Reece Fountain (@Reece_JMM) on signing a 1 year deal with the @Chiefs today. 🔥
— Sports Agent (@andysimms) May 17, 2021
Fountain isn’t a stranger to this process given that he was a former fifth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts—and former Chiefs exec Chris Ballard—back in the 2018 NFL Draft as a smaller-school prospect from Norther Iowa. Fountain bounced between the team and the practice squad during his rookie campaign and was active for only one game. He lost his entire second season in the league due to an ankle injury suffered during the preseason.
Last year featured more of the same roller coaster for Fountain, although he saw his first real playing time for the Colts given the injuries suffered at wideout by the team last year (Michael Pittman, T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell, Marcus Johnson). Of course, that’s all relative given that he played in only five games and saw three total offensive targets. He caught two of them for 23 yards.
But here’s what’s likely true about this pickup: The Chiefs must have had Fountain fairly high on their draft board back in 2018 when the Colts picked him up. Given a chance to take a closer look a few years later, they still liked what they saw. That would jive with the strong performances Fountain gave in his pre-draft season back in 2018 when given a chance.
Scouting reports on Fountain praise his intangibles (character and work ethic) along with his physical frame and toughness that allows him to play even bigger than he is. He also turned heads at his pro day with a strong effort in multiple drills.
UNI WR Daurice Fountain dominated his pro day as he ran a 4.46 forty, had 14 reps of 225, had a 42.5-inch vertical and a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches. Those are draft pick numbers folks
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) March 26, 2018
Perhaps most importantly was when given a chance to compete away from his own coaches and program, Fountain was named the Offensive MVP in the East-West Shrine Game that year as well. He had 61 receiving yards on three catches and added 40 yards on punt returns, showing his ability to make an impact on special teams as well.