Metchie missed his entire rookie season as he battled Leukemia, but could be an impact player in 2023.
Nick Caserio and the Houston Texans have five picks in the first 75 selections in this weekend's NFL Draft, leaving them with a chance to put together a historic rookie class in 2023.
In addition to whoever is ultimately drafted by the Texans, it appears that 2022 second-round pick John Metchie III will make his NFL debut in 2023.
After battling Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Metchie was back on the field with the team for minicamp practice Wednesday.
In addition to coming back from leukemia, the former Alabama wideout is also continuing to regain strength in his left knee after he tore his ACL in December of 2021.
After both Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith left for the NFL, Metchie had a breakout 2021 campaign for the Crimson Tide, catching 96 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.
Metchie was a Second-Team All-Pro in his final season at Alabama. Still only 22 years old, Metchie should have a bright future ahead of him.
And it sounds as though he's already left a strong impression on his new head coach, DeMeco Ryans. “Outstanding young man off the field.
Great energy. Always around,” Ryans said. “Every time I see him in the building, huge smile on his face.
No matter what adversity he’s faced, he’s attacking it with a smile, with the right attitude.
It just solidifies the type of person he is, the type of people, and the type of players we want to add to our team.”