Instant analysis of the Texans' trade of WR John Metchie to the Eagles
According to NFL Network's Tom Pellissero, the Texans are re-acquiring their 2026 fifth-round pick and tight end Harrison Bryant from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Surprisingly enough, that 2026 sixth-round pick was also acquired in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade.
A second-round pick out of Alabama, Metchie reunites with 2020 national championship teammate DeVonta Smith and should compete for reps in the slot. He missed his entire rookie season while battling leukemia after the Texans selected him in a trade-up following his breakout season with the Crimson Tide in 2021.
Entering a contract year, Metchie's totaled 40 career receptions for 412 yards and a touchdown in 29 games. This preseason, he was leading all Texans receivers with six catches for 53 yards.
With more news trickling in, let's have an instant analysis of the deal ahead of roster cutdowns later this month.
Metchie was the last-man out
While a promising player, Metchie had fallen down the depth chart over the last two years. Entering a contract season, Christian Kirk, Nico Collins, the two rookies and Xaiver Hutchinson were all listed ahead of Metchie on the depth chart this preseason.
Overall, Metchie's best skill set comes as a receiver, not a special teams star. Braxton Berrios is an All-Pro returner and impressed in his first preseason game after hauling in a 14-yard touchdown reception against the Vikings. Justin Watson is known for being a do-it-all special teams player
In the end, Metchie was probably the last man out among the receivers, so instead of letting him walk into waivers, the Texans gained back their draft pick from the trade with Philly ahead of the draft. It's a valuable pick that should bolster the locker room in 2026 while resetting the market for a player.
Texans find Brevin Jordan replacement
Bryant, the former John Mackey Award winner and All-American from Florida Atlantic in 2019, has totaled 98 career receptions for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns between his time with the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders. He signed a one-year contract this offseason with the Eagles and was expected to compete for the No. 3 tight end role, which should be the same for him in Houston.
With Brevin Jordan out for the season with a lower-body injury, the Texans needed to find a third tight end. That should be Bryant, whom Houston faced off against in the AFC wild-card round in 2023. In that game, the he totaled five receptions for 63 yards.
Wide receiver likely set
How will the rest of the roster look? No idea, but the receiver room -- minus one spot -- should be set. The biggest argument with Metchie's role is how many receivers the Texans were going to keep. It was clear that five were already locked into place because of their role or current contracts.
If Noel ends up proving to high more upside as a return man than some envisioned, Berrios could be on the move while Watson keeps a spot on the roster for special teams purposes. Should the former Iowa State star add value in kickoff and put formations, one could argue there's no need for Watson.
The bottom line is that Houston is basically heading into practice next with a spot on the line between the two free-agent additions from the offseason.
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