After a season that ended in a disappointing loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs, the Texans made numerous high-profile moves in the offseason, including trading star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and allowing Stefon Diggs to leave in free agency.
Houston's offense slipped to 18th in the league in points per game (PPG) last season, down from its 13th position in 2023. In response, the offense has undergone some personnel changes. The team added Iowa State teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds, along with Christian Kirk, Justin Watson, and Braxton Berrios as complementary pieces. Tank Dell could miss the entire 2025 season, which would open up another slot on the roster; however, openings are minimal.
Barring further injuries, Nico Collins, Kirk, Higgins, and Noel would be locks to make the squad. Berrios's returning acumen could help him find his way on the roster, too, leaving former Alabama star John Metchie in a battle with Xavier Hutchinson and Justin Watson for what would be minimal playtime.
Could the Texans instead opt to add to their draft stash or acquire another player in a trade to get some value out of Metchie's one year remaining on his contract?
The Patriots should call the Texans about John Metchie's availability
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport suggested Metchie as a trade candidate for the Texans, which makes perfect sense for all the reasons above. But what could Metchie offer the Patriots, and what could the Patriots offer in return to the Texans?
Metchie didn't play in 2022 due to his successful battle with leukemia, but in 2023 and 2024, he managed approximately 400 offensive snaps each season. He has played on both the inside and outside and has shown some value as a special-teams player. He's been about average as far as PFF grades go during his two healthy seasons.
The Patriots don't have a ton in the way of receivers. The additions of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency are sound, and Kyle Williams should be a strong long-term contributor. Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte have each been okay depth pieces, while Kendrick Bourne struggled in his ten games last season after returning from an ACL tear. Last year's rookies, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, showed precious little.
Should the team add Metchie, he'd compete for a role that could be as high as WR2, but there's a similar chance he wouldn't make the roster. Currently, I'd slot him behind Diggs, Boutte, and Douglas as the WR4, about the same level as Bourne and Hollins.
Given the number of players on a similar level to Metchie that the team already has, dealing one of them in exchange for him could be reasonable compensation. Texans GM Nick Caserio worked closely with Belichick during 12 of his 18 seasons in New England.
Because of this, he may be more willing to do business with the Patriots than with other teams, especially under new head coach Mike Vrabel, whose playing career overlapped with Caserio's management tenure in Foxborough.
Sending Boutte or Bourne would offer a more reliable commodity for the Texans, while acquiring Polk could offer something of a long shot they could try and work with. Otherwise, a day three pick, likely a conditional sixth or seventh-round pick, might get the deal done.
While it may not be the type of deal that shocks the league, acquiring Metchie would be a sound move for a team that needs help in the receiver room.