John Metchie III NFL Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report

Name:  John Metchie III

School: University of Alabama

Year: Junior

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 5’11”, 187 lbs. (Combine Measurements)

Stats: 

General Info:

A heavily targeted four-star recruit out of high school, John Metchie was considered the 40^th overall WR prospect and 275^th overall recruit for the class of 2019. As a true freshman at Alabama, Metchie appeared in 13 games that year, though he recorded only four catches for 23 yards. His quiet year had little to do with him, however—Alabama had an incredibly deep WR room that season, with future NFL first round picks Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith all ahead of Metchie on the depth chart.

Metchie took on a much bigger role in his sophomore year, following the departures of Jeudy and Ruggs. As the third option for the Crimson Tide (second option following an ankle injury for Waddle), Metchie appeared in all 13 games, recording 55 receptions for 916 yards and six scores. He also displayed his toughness, playing through injury to have a big game against Ohio State. Metchie spent time on the Biletnikoff Watch List during the year, and was named both an Alabama Offensive and Special Teams player of the week at multiple points during the season.

In 2021 Metchie took over as Alabama’s number one option in the passing game and had a historic year. Starting 13 games, he recorded 96 receptions, the third most in a single season in Alabama’s storied football history. Those receptions went for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, both of which were easily career highs for Metchie. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL during the SEC championship game in December, and will miss at least a significant chunk of his rookie year recuperating from the knee injury. Because of the ACL, he was also unable to participate in the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, only having his measurements taken.

Positional Skills:

Strengths

• Should be able to outside and in the slot as a pro.
• Possesses a well-developed route tree.
• Route running overall is one of the biggest pluses for Metchie—he is a crisp, intelligent route runner with great awareness of how to get defensive backs off-kilter.
• Flashes YAC ability with the ball in his hands.
• Assertive blocker.
• Took a step forward as a 50-50 ball receiver, which is important given some of his physical limitations.
• Good instincts during scramble drills.

Weaknesses

• Jack of all trades, master of none. There are no areas where Metchie is exceptionally above-average.
• ACL tear in December, 2021.
• Inconsistent hands, for the most part. Has struggled with focus drops and body catches.
• Lacks the burst to consistently create separation against NFL defensive backs.
• The “jack of all trades” comment extends to his athleticism. Metchie is a fine athlete. He’s fast enough. He’s explosive enough. He’s big enough. But he’s not really an above-average athlete.

Fit with the Packers:

The ACL injury Metchie suffered in December puts a damper on his rookie season, as he may not play at all in 2022, so he isn’t a player who can come in right away. As a prospect, he reminds me of Jarvis Landry. Neither player is an exceptional athlete, with both squarely meeting that area of “fine,” but they are crisp route runners with inside/outside versatility (though Landry has largely been relegated to the slot during his career). Metchie has the same build as the former LSU star, and while I think his drop issues will prevent him from racking up the receptions like Landry, he should be a reliable third WR.

Given the Packers’ propensity for drafting supremely athletic players, Metchie doesn’t quite seem like a fit. However, if he slides due to his injury (he could’ve been a high day two pick prior to the ACL) the value could be too good to pass up. I see him as a potential target in rounds three and four, with a chance to make an impact the moment he gets on the field, whether that be this year or in 2023.