What does the Texans' depth chart look like following the John Metchie trade?
According to multiple reports, the Texans are trading the fourth-year wideout John Metchie III to the Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN's D.J. Bien-Aime, the Texans will receive tight end Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for the pass-catcher and 2026 sixth-round pick.
Funny enough, the Texans already traded those picks earlier this offseason to the Eagles in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson deal
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. He was impressive, but in a crowded room, Metchie was probably fighting for one last spot alongside Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson.
As for Bryant, who is entering his sixth NFL season, the former John Mackey Award winner from Florida Atlantic has totaled 98 receptions for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns during his time with the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders. He's expected to would give the Texans further depth at tight end in place of Brevin Jordan's season-ending injury.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the Texans' depth chart following the Metchie trade.
Note: This list is subject to change with players on the PUP list or NFI list. The list will certainly change after roster cutdown following the final preseason game on August 23.
Quarterback
Starter: C.J. Stroud
Reserves: Davis Mills, Graham Mertz*, Kedon Slovis
Analysis: There's no surprise here at any level. The Texans drafted Mertz with the intent of making him the new Case Keenum. So far, he's the favorite to land the No. 3 QB role.
Running Back
Starter: Nick Chubb
Second-team: Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Woody Marks*
Reserves: Jawhar Jordan, J.J. Taylor, British Brooks
Analysis: Brooks is more so a fullback, but since the team didn't post the position, he's listed as a running back. Joe Mixon, back at full health, will change the dynamic of the room, but for now, Pierce and Chubb will battle it out for first-team reps.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins*
Reserves: Jaylin Noel*, Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson, Braxton Berrios, Jared Wayne, Quintez Cephus, Daniel Jackson*, Xavier Johnson
Analysis: Noel could eventually move up the list into the first-team unit should Higgins continue to struggle, but there's no real surprise. At this point, the final move is between Berrios and Watson.
Tight End
Starter: Dalton Schultz
Second-team: Cade Stover
Reserves: Irv Smith Jr., Harrison Bryant Luke Lachey, Jakob Johnson (FB)
Analysis: Much like Brooks, Johnson is seeing his reps with tight ends because there's not a set position at fullback. Should he make the roster, he won't be seeing reps on Sunday in the same role as Schultz or Jordan. Keep an eye out on Stover this weekend to see if he firmly surpasses Schultz for the TE No. 1 job.
Offensive Line
Starters: Cam Robinson (LT), Laken Tomlinson (LG), Jarrett Patterson (OC), Tytus Howard (RG), Tay Ersery* (RT)
Reserves: Zac Thomas (LT), Juice Scruggs (LG), Jake Andrews (OC), Ed Ingram (RG), Blake Fisher (RT), Austin Deculus (LT), Ladarius Henderson (LG), Eli Cox (OC), Jaylon Thomas (RG)
Analysis: No real surprises on the offensive line, but the battle for center still is ablaze. Next week, Andrews might take over as the starting center, while depending on the severity of Robinson's injury, Ersery could shift over to left tackle for a week.
Defensive End
Starters: Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter
Reserves: Darrell Taylor, Derek Barnett, Dylan Horton, Casey Toolhill, Solomon Byrd
Analysis: Derek Barnett's return should make this room interesting, but Taylor's promising training might make him the favorite as the No. 3 pass-rusher. Is Horton fighting for a job over Toolhill and Byrd? Barring Denico Autry's release, it seems like two of three will be gone by Week 1.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards Jr.
Reserves: Foley Fatukasi, Tim Settle, Tommy Togiai, Junior Tafuna, Haggai Ndubuisi,
Analysis: Settle might be listed as a second-team lineman, but he's going to see a bulk of first-team reps. It's a location, nothing more.
Linebackers
Starters: Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To'oTo'o
Reserves: Christian Harris, Jake Hansen, Nick Niemann, E.J. Speed, Jamal Hill, K.C. Ossai
Analysis: Even without practicing, Harris being listed over Speed and Hansen is a sign he's still viewed as a prominent member of the staff. Expect him to be the LB3 should he ever begin to practice, which could be as soon as Wednesday.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jalen Pitre (nickel)
Reserves: Jaylin Smith*, Myles Bryant, D'Angelo Ross, Tremon Smith, Damon Arnette, Arthur Maulet
Analysis: Smith would be starting for several teams in the nickel after an impressive training camp. Now, he's the first call should any one of the starters go down. Even though Smith looks to be on the outside in as a cornerback, he's making the roster because of his special team skills.
Safety
Starters: Calen Bullock, C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Reserves: Jaylen Reed*, Jalen Mills, M.J. Stewart, Russell Yeast
Analysis: No surprises with the starters, though Reed could begin the regular season on the injured reserve.
Specialists
Starters: Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Austin Brinkman* (LS), Tommy Townsend (P)
Analysis: There's nothing to say here
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