Who Should I Start? Van Jefferson or John Metchie III


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 14.4 0.1

Van Jefferson News

Commanders Signing Van Jefferson on Friday

Friday, March 13, 12:25 PM

The Washington Commanders are signing veteran free-agent wide receiver Van Jefferson (forearm) to an undisclosed deal on Friday, a source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Even though it's wide open right now behind WR1 Terry McLaurin in D.C., the 29-year-old Jefferson will most likely serve as a depth option for the Commanders in 2026. The team also brought back Dyami Brown on Friday after he spent his first four seasons with Washington. Jefferson ended last year on Injured Reserve due to a forearm injury. Before his injury, the former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 caught 29 of his 52 targets for 350 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (seven starts) with the Tennessee Titans. Jefferson's career year in 2021 with the Rams in his second year in the league has been the outlier, as he hasn't come anywhere close to the 802 receiving yards and six TDs he had that season. The Commanders are likely to bring in more receiving help via free agency and the draft, which would push Jefferson further down the WR depth chart.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.9 0.4 0.0 2.0 19.3 0.2

John Metchie III News

John Metchie III a Candidate for WR3 Job in Carolina

Friday, August 7, 9:00 AM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III, who is with his fourth different NFL team in 2026 in a little more than 11 months, had a 19-yard rush and a 36-yard kick return in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. With rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II (knee) already ruled out for the 2026 season, The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye suggests that Metchie has a real shot to compete for the WR3 role this year in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The 26-year-old's primary competition will be Xavier Legette, a former first-rounder who has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL. If Metchie makes more noise in training camp and the preseason, he could have a role in the slot with the Panthers, although it wouldn't generate enough volume for the former second-rounder from Alabama to be much more than a bench stash in deeper redraft formats. In 16 games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans in 2025, Metchie had career highs with 33 catches, 274 yards, and two touchdowns on 48 targets.


Van Jefferson vs. John Metchie III

Still trying to decide between Jefferson and Metchie III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Van Jefferson is projected to score 3.0 points this week while John Metchie III is projected to score 4.9 points.