The Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints may pursue wideout John Metchie who is drawing interest from NFL rosters before the regular season begins next month. One source states that the Texans are fielding calls from other teams for the playmaker since they already have plenty of depth at the position. Metchie is the fourth-best receiver on the depth chart in Houston right now and after trading for Stefon Diggs this offseason, they’re shaping up a superstar offense for C.J. Stroud. However, the Texans were planning to release Metchie despite his solid preseason performance but they probably will keep him around now that teams are reaching out to trade for him.
Houston should be able to get a solid pick in return for his services since he already faces tough competition in the final rosters cut against Noah Brown and Robert Woods. Receivers like Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell are pretty much a lock for this team so it’ll be interesting to see where Metchie lands since he’s getting trade interest from teams. The 24-year-old was returning from a leukemia diagnosis which he didn’t have the opportunity to debut until the 2023 campaign. However, he was operating primarily as the Texans’ backup option so he didn’t do much after recording 16 catches for 158 yards.
The Ravens have two solid starters in Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman but they have a weak point in the slot. Nelson Agholor seems to be a temporary option since he’s on a one-year deal but considering Metchie’s rookie contract, Baltimore could bring him in for cheap and for the long-term. The Saints are a roster that needs a receiver since it’s just Derek Carr and Chris Olave against the world. Metchie isn’t the brightest but could bring some needed life to help Carr.
Ravens, Saints May Pursue Wideout John Metchie Drawing Trade Interest
Other Potential Trade Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have been working all offseason making life easier for Bryce Young especially after only winning one game with the team last season. It was an alternating experience where new head coach Dave Canales ensured that Young got all the help he needed to lead this squad. After trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette, they could use another wideout to provide cushioning. Adam Thielen is getting older and won’t be the same player he once was but luckily they could bring in Metchie who has a bright future.
If he can stay healthy and get a couple of snaps then it shouldn’t be long until he can carve a name for himself in Carolina. Perhaps, reuniting Metchie with Young would probably give the team a much-needed boost after being apart of a big help in Young’s Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.
Kansas City Chiefs
To no one’s surprise, the Chiefs were able to bring JuJu Smith-Schuster back on the squad to help Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman. However, Smith-Schuster’s signing could spell the end of Skyy Moore or another receiver that probably won’t make the 53-man but a receiver was what they needed after losing Marquise Brown to injury. Rashee Rice will miss out on a few regular-season games due to off-field issues so a long-term insurance policy like Metchie could likely end the return of Hardman’s campaign or Toney altogether. He would last longer than what the Chiefs have now since knowing that Xavier Worthy isn’t getting on the fast foot come week one since he is still a rookie.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders surprisingly traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles recently but it shouldn’t signal the team should settle. Washington was letting him go due to a culture change but they’re on the hunt for WR2 to help Terry McLaurin. Dotson’s release should carve out more time for pass-catchers like tight end Ben Sinnott and Luke McCaffrey to get opportunities on the field. However, they need a receiver to produce immediate results and since they probably won’t get someone like Brandon Aiyuk, it’s safe to trade for someone with a low-risk potential.
Metchie isn’t on the same level as Aiyuk but being that he has two years left on his rookie deal should intrigue the Commanders to get him for cheap.
