The Houston Texans continue to win the offseason, as the reigning AFC South champions try to capitalize on C.J. Stroud’s rookie window. After bringing in waves of talent in free agency, the team topped it all off by giving up a 2025 second-round pick for Stefon Diggs. With the former All-Pro in town, the Texans have a logjam at wide receiver and could trade former second-round pick John Metchie.
Originally selected early in the 2022 NFL Draft, Metchie’s rookie season ended before it ever began following an acute promyelocytic leukemia diagnosis. While he returned to the field in 2023, he finished the season with just 16 receptions for 158 yards on 30 targets. This is not too impressive, but the slow start is understandable considering his circumstances.
However, it’s hard to see the Alabama product ever improving in this environment. John Metchie is now buried on the depth chart behind Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell, and the wide receiver has every right to ask for a trade.
John Metchie Could Be Odd-Man Out Following Stefon Diggs Trade
The Texans selected John Metchie in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he’ll cost a lot less than that in a trade. After all, the Alabama product has yet to prove he can play at an NFL level, and he only has two years of team control left. Chances are, any interested team could acquire him for a Day 3 pick, or maybe even a late-round pick swap.
Any team looking to trade for John Metchie will do so with the belief that they might be able to develop a good but not great player. The second-round pick lives and dies in the slot and runs a wide route tree, but he lacks the athleticism to be anything more than just a reliable chain mover.
Possible Destinations
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have two short-term options at wide receiver in Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen. While both players can help Bryce Young in 2024, the team needs to find somebody who can help in 2025 and beyond. Thielen is not getting any younger, and Johnson will be a free agent following the season. With Jonathan Mingo not showing much as a rookie, the team could trade for John Metchie and try to make him Bryce Young’s slot receiver of the future.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have the worst wide receiver room in the NFL by a comfortable margin. With no proven commodities on the roster, the team must throw as many darts as possible on low-risk, high-upside trade candidates like John Metchie. Perhaps he doesn’t work out with Justin Herbert, but he can’t be much worse than Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, and the rest of the gang.
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham has already said his goodbyes to the Ravens, so Baltimore will need to find another wide receiver in 2024. With cap space at a premium and several holes throughout the roster, the team could save some money and trade a late-round pick for John Metchie. While he’s anything but a sure bet, he offers some decent upside that aging veterans like Tyler Boyd simply do not possess.
Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice is in serious trouble and could miss a good part of the season. If the wide receiver can’t suit up in 2024, Patrick Mahomes will again have to throw the ball to Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney. That cannot happen if the Chiefs want to pull off the three-peat, and a John Metchie trade could keep these two on the bench. As long as Metchie doesn’t turn easy receptions into interceptions, he will be an upgrade.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys refuse to spend money in what will likely be the final year of the Mike McCarthy Era. So, if free agents won’t willingly come to Dallas, then the Cowboys should trade for a player like John Metchie who won’t have a choice. With two years left on his rookie contract, Metchie will have a chance to shine opposite superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
