Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Xavier Restrepo

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, July 12, 2:07 PM

TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt highlights rookie wide receiver Xavier Restrepo as a player to watch heading into training camp this summer. Restrepo was added as an undrafted free agent after he was a teammate of quarterback Cam Ward at the University of Miami. The 23-year-old is a fierce competitor who looked comfortable in spring practices. Wyatt writes that Restrepo's 11 catches led all receivers during the five open practices to the media this offseason. If he continues to play that well during camp, the Titans may find it hard to cut him from the active roster going into the regular season. Restrepo had 1,000 yards receiving in his final two seasons with the Hurricanes. He's merely one to watch because of his chemistry with Ward, but he's not an exceptional athlete and is going to face an uphill battle for a roster spot.