Brampton receiver John Metchie III drafted by Houston Texans
Published April 29, 2022 at 8:25 pm
The Houston Texans traded up Friday to draft John Metchie III, that wily wideout from Brampton by way of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Metchie, who gained 1,142 receiving yards for Alabama in a knee injury-shortened season, was chosen No. 44 overall by the Texans in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday in Las Vegas. The Texans swung a trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up 24 spots in order to draft Metchie. Houston had to ante a third-round pick (No. 68 overall) and two fourths (Nos. 108 and 124).
The knee injury that Metchie suffered last season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game required surgery and likely affected his draft stock. But many football analysts note that he displayed a strong work ethic to get to the top of the wide receiver depth chart at Alabama, and also has a savvy to his route-running that will help him be elusive at the next level.
“You talk about route-running, feel and instincts, he’s off the charts,” NFL Network analyst Joel Klatt said of Metchie. “He is tough and competitive.”
Television analysts suggested Houston traded up since the Baltimore Ravens, who had the No. 45 pick, were likely to draft a wide receiver. Baltimore sent wide receiver Marquise (Hollywood) Brown to the Arizona Cardinals in a trade before the draft.
Metchie is joining a Texans franchise that has something to prove. Houston went a combined 8-25 over the last two seasons. They play in the AFC South division with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.
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Over Metchie’s three seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide were 37-4. Two of those defeats were to teams that won the College Football Playoff national championship — Joe Burrow-led Lousiana State in 2019, and the Georgia Bulldogs in last season’s final. Metchie missed that game due to his knee injury.
Metchie is a two-time recipient of the Cornish Trophy, which Football Canada awards each year to honour the top Canadian in the U.S. college game.
Last season, he led Alabama with 96 pass receptions, even though the Crimson Tide had another wide receiver, Jameson Williams, who was drafted No. 12 overall by the Detroit Lions on Thursday. Metchie averaged 11.9 yards a catch and scored eight touchdowns.
In 2020, Metchie gained 916 yards, at 16.7 yards per catch, to help ‘Bama go 13-0 and win the College Football Playoff national championship.
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