Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Derius Davis

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.

Thursday, January 9, 9:40 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis could find himself with an expanded role in a Wild Card Round matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Davis went on a solid hot streak near the end of the season, scoring touchdowns in Weeks 16 and 17. With Joshua Palmer (foot) ruled out and Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) questionable, Davis could be needed to work alongside Ladd McConkey and D.J. Chark. Davis hasn't seen more than 37% of the team's offensive snaps in any game this season, and he averaged somewhere around 16%, so even with the injuries ahead of him, he shouldn't be expected to take on an enormous role. Still, he could be a value pick in playoff fantasy contests who happens to find himself in the end zone.