Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Jalin Hyatt

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.

Tuesday, June 17, 2:06 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (leg) exited Tuesday's minicamp practice early with an apparent leg injury, according to the Athletic's Dan Duggan. While premature practice exits are not usually significant this early in the offseason, the third-year pass-catcher out of Tennessee cannot afford to miss reps and opportunities to earn playing time. The former Biletnikoff Award winner has been disappointing since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, posting just 31 receptions for 435 yards and no touchdowns in 33 career games. The Giants' wide receiver group behind Malik Nabers remains underwhelming, but Hyatt figures to be firmly behind Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson entering 2025. His injury situation is worth monitoring, but either way, he's unlikely to be a fantasy football contributor this season.