KC Chiefs clearly like these four practice squad prospects
By Matt Conner
Daurice Fountain, wide receiver
The Chiefs first invited Fountain to try out for the team amidst a sea of first-year players during a rookie minicamp. It’s a move common to every team to bring in a handful of typically local veterans to practice with rookies to earn an extra look just in case. It was just the opportunity that Fountain needed.
Fountain had signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent back in 2018 as a prospect out of Northern Iowa. He impressed Chris Ballard enough, the Colts general manager, to earn a spot on the practice squad for the season and he was even activated near season’s end by the Colts. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2019 that took him out of contention for a fringe roster spot in his second season. From there, he returned in 2020 and was active for a handful of games for the Colts but caught only 2 passes and the Colts let his contract expire in January.
From there, the Chiefs signed this past May and he was a preseason star for the team. Despite his breakout performances, Fountain was relegated to the practice squad with his new team. Since then, he’s been active for a couple of games in the second half without any real offensive opportunities at all, but he’s remained protected by the Chiefs at times as well.
All of this makes us curious about his potential going forward into an offseason in which three guys who are now on the active roster will all hit unrestricted free agency: Byron Pringle, Josh Gordon, Demarcus Robinson. Marcus Kemp will also be a restricted free agent. In other words, if there’s a time for someone to step up and claim a role, even a fringe role, this offseason would be a key time.
Fountain looks like a good bet for a futures contract after the season is over to give him an extended look throughout the upcoming offseason.