Chargers Scouting Report: Alabama WR John Metchie III

Over the next month, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2022 NFL draft.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, I take a look at Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III.

John Metchie III | Alabama | #8 | Junior | Brampton, Canada | 5’11” | 187

40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

*Did not participate in the NFL Combine or Alabama pro day due to injury.

Career: Earned All-SEC Second Team accolades in his last season with the Crimson Tide. His pairing with Jameson Williams was the second 1,000-yard receiving duo in program history. Caught 155 passes for 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns in 30 games.

Red Flags: Suffered a torn ACL in the 2021 SEC Championship against Georgia. Metchie said he is expected to be at full strength in June, putting him on track for a complete rookie season.

Strengths: Functional receiver that saw time both outside and in the slot. Darts off the line with a deep release package. Opens up defenders with varied tempo, attack stabs, and accurate assessments of body language. Flows as a route runner and creates most of his separation at the top of his route, employing head fakes and stutters to send his coverage in the opposite direction. Accelerated start-stop ability is generated by snappy hips and even strides. High football IQ and diagnoses schemes pre-snap to plan the best approach. Nose for creases in the defense and arrives where he anticipates open throwing windows. Elusive after the catch with good field vision and ability to create for himself. Tough, physical player who can both absorb and evade contact.

Weaknesses: Has moments in the game where his concentration lapses and commits a fair amount of egregious drops, including a handful last season. Body catcher who rarely extends hands away from his body. Appears uncomfortable hauling in throws away from his frame. Does not use his average frame to aggressively rise up and challenge defenders at the catch point. Rounds out his breaks and allows defenders back to the ball. Lacks elite burners to separate at the second level.

Final Word: After a season in which Jameson Williams managed to command the spotlight, Metchie quietly had a productive season that showcased his route nuance, play strength, and physicality with the ball in his hands. Alabama was noticeably a different team passing the football after he tore his ACL, which exposed exactly how much Metchie’s presence on the field impacted the offense. Although he lacks a true elite trait, Metchie wears many hats in the receiving department and projects well in the slot as one of the draft’s safer mid-round prospects.

Fit Likelihood: Medium

Grade: 2nd

Film Highlights:

Metchie using deception at the top of his route to earn separation and close off angles.

Nobody told me John Metchie III can scoot!

Love the flow on this crisp glance route. Gets the safety to attack the other direction, then evaporates the contest angle. Nice fadeaway by Bryce Young versus unblocked pressure, too.

A slot role can mask his shortage of elite traits. pic.twitter.com/yZCxt3DChW

— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) March 15, 2022