After losing Josh Reynolds to the Denver Broncos in free agency, the Detroit Lions are looking inside to replace the vacancy. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Kalif Raymond are the presumed favorites to take on a larger role, but 2023 practice squad member Daurice Fountain is making a legitimate run at the No. 3 wide receiver position so far in training camp. Head coach Dan Campbell recently lauded Fountain, and before Friday morning’s practice, he increased the bar for the WR3 dark horse.
“Fountain makes plays. He is making some plays,” Campbell said. “You see the 1-on-1, he makes a big, high catch there. I think we all are intrigued with Fountain. I said that a few days ago. We need to see more out of him, we need to see more. It’s gotta show up. He’s gotta be detailed in what he does. He’s got an unbelievable opportunity here and he knows that, and it’s gotta show up.”
Dan Campbell calls out Donovan Peoples-Jones
For better or worse, Campbell won’t mince words when he talks. He may stretch a little too far in praise sometimes, but there’s very little “coach speak” in what he says about players. Sometimes you need to read between the lines a little (see comments about D’Andre Swift at the 2023 NFL Combine), and sometimes you don’t.
When Peoples-Jones was acquired from the Cleveland Browns at the trade deadline last season, he found himself in a difficult situation. So five receptions in eight games for the Lions (72 offensive snaps) counts as a mulligan, and his talent was recognized enough to re-sign him to a one-year contract. A full offseason in the system would be extremely beneficial to him, and with Reynolds’ departure, opportunities would naturally arise. Campbell essentially called out Peoples-Jones on Friday, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News.
