Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Chris Blair

Thursday, May 1, 12:17 AM

The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander projects Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III to be left off the 53-man roster entering the start of the 2025 season this fall after the team added receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in last week's draft. Houston also added Christian Kirk, Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios in free agency this offseason, creating a lot of competition for the 24-year-old, who has battled injuries and a cancer scare to produce just 40 catches for 412 yards and one touchdown since being drafted in the second round (44th overall) in 2022 out of Alabama. Alexander expects Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson, Berrios and Watson to be battling for the final two receiver spots this summer behind Higgins, Kirk and Nico Collins. Metchie is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and could be a trade candidate if it's clear he's not going to make the roster.

Saturday, August 16, 11:42 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair led the team in receiving yards, thanks mostly to a 52-yard catch-and-run down the sideline on an Easton Stick pass in the third quarter of Friday's 23-20 loss to the Titans. In all, the 27-year-old caught three of his five targets for a total of 78 yards. It's the second consecutive week with a touchdown catch after hauling in three passes for 54 yards in the team's 17-10 preseason loss to the Lions last week. The wide receiver corps for the Falcons is pretty much set, with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud the top three, along with fourth wideout KhaDarel Hodge, who has been with the team since 2022. Blair is battling veteran DJ Chark and a host of others for what is probably just one spot available on the roster, although his performance the last two weeks should help give him a leg up on most of them.