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Texans Urged to Trade Former Second-Round Pick Before Season Begins

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Connor Greene | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 8:11 PM ET

Still in the thick of the offseason, Bleacher Report NFL writer Matt Holder recently dropped a list of one trade every NFL team should consider making before the 2025 season kicks off.

For the Houston Texans ? Flip former second-rounder John Metchie III for draft capital. Metchie, 24, was taken 44th overall by the Texans in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and also went 59th in that year’s CFL Draft.

He ultimately chose the NFL route, signing a four-year, $8 million deal with Houston on May 14, 2022. But just a couple months later he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a rare form of cancer that disrupts white blood cell production. The former Alabama standout announced he’d miss his rookie season to undergo treatment.

A year later, he was cleared to play, and in 2023 he put up 16 catches for 158 yards with no touchdowns. His second year in the league saw a slight bump with 24 receptions, 254 yards, and one touchdown in 13 games.

As Holder points out, Metchie’s heading into a contract year and is likely to be buried on the depth chart behind more established names. There is no question that the talent is there, but it might just not be the right fit in Houston. He could be a solid option for a team looking thin in the wideout department, such as the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, or Los Angeles Chargers.

The Texans made moves to bring in proven veterans this offseason, but it might be just as important to keep their interest on the future. Building around franchise cornerstone guys like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. comes with stacking assets, and flipping Metchie for draft picks could be a smart step toward that long-term vision.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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