Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Nick Nash

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.

Wednesday, April 30, 1:11 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Nick Nash, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of San Jose State, could find himself in the team's receiver rotation in 2025 after leading all FBS pass-catchers in 2024 in catches (104), touchdowns (16) and receiving yards (1,382). The converted quarterback played half of his 2,169 collegiate snaps under center, giving him a unique perspective at the receiver position. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder gives QBs a wide catch radius, but for now, excelling on special teams could be his ticket to the main roster. He's old for a rookie at 26 years old and is relatively new to the receiver position, too, so at best, Nash will probably work in four- or five-receiver sets for the Falcons behind Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud III and Darnell Mooney. He'll have to make up for his lack of long speed with his size and precise route-running.