Draft Analysis: John Metchie

March 30, 2022 /
  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 195 lbs
  • College: Alabama
  • Tape watched: Texas A&M, Miami, Arkansas, Ole Miss 2020
  • NFL Comparison: Roddy White

Pros

  • Physicality
    While he isn’t the biggest, Metchie might be one of the strongest receivers on the field. John Metchie plays with fire and it shows in his blocking and press release. He has an incredibly strong lower half that he pairs with exceptional grip and drive.
  • Blocking
    An extension of his physicality, Metchie consistently shows up in the run game. He has clamps that when given the opportunity, will drive you out of the play. He is patient in his stalking, and walls off defenders well. With more effort and detail, he can be a game changer in the perimeter run game.
Metchie with a nice wide base, stalk, and let the corner take himself out of the play. Too often receivers try to do much more than this and end up missing, or in the way.
While it was holding, Metchie is one hand inside of this being the best block all year. With a little more detail, this shows his abilities to impact the run game.
  • RAC
    Metchie’s ability to extend plays was the most surprising trait of his. He is sturdy enough to run through corners and fall forward on hits. He also has sneaky lateral agility to make cuts and force missed tackles. While he is not nearly as dynamic and explosive as Deebo Samuel, it gives you a very general idea of his mold.

Midline

  • Hands
    Metchie can be described as a decent hand catcher that struggles in contested catch situations. He does well with sideline grabs. Metchie doesn’t have a lot of history in college with jump balls or back shoulder catches. He will need to rely less on his body for catches in the NFL as the windows for receptions close drastically.
  • Athleticism
    John Metchie won’t be the fastest or strongest receiver on the field, but he gives a good blend of both. He is adequate enough where it matters to be effective in the NFL. There were few instances of Metchie playing “above the rim” with jump balls.

Cons

  • Route Running
    There is plenty of concern about the level of detail in John Metchie’s route running. He can round routes when they shouldn’t be, flip his head at poor times, and struggle to come back to the football. He also fails to use his burst and tempo effectively at times. I do think the potential is there for him to turn this into a pro trait.
Metchie has to know where the sticks are on 4th down in overtime here. If he cuts flat or even comes back to the ball the drive continues.
Burst off the line, great body language, and a nice snap out of his route break here. This is the potential and type of receiver I anticipate of John Metchie in the NFL.

Overview

Before John Metchie’s season ending ACL injury, Metchie improved into one of the leading SEC receiving threats. He consistently improved from 2020 to 2021, catching nearly 100 balls for 1,100+ receiving yards. Metchie is a hard nosed, do-it-all type of receiver. I think the NFL can use him in the slot and boost their run game, as well as create matchup advantages with his skillset. If he can recover to a completely healthy player, he might be one of the quiet steals in the draft. I look forward to seeing his ‘Karate Kid’ touchdown celebration on Sundays.