Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Jordan Watkins

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.

Monday, August 11, 6:51 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain and will miss a month, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Watkins was injured in Saturday's 30-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in the preseason opener. Before getting hurt, he caught three of his six targets for 56 yards. The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick back in April but might not be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season in early September. Watkins wasn't going to be a starter on offense in his rookie season, but there is certainly opportunity in a banged-up Niners receivers room with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) potentially not making his season debut until Week 6. With Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing also dealing with injuries in training camp, Demarcus Robinson has a big opportunity to impress the coaching staff.