Could Patriots Be Among Teams Reportedly Calling About Wideout?

Teams reportedly are showing interest in former second-round wide receiver John Metchie III.

Multiple teams have reached out to the Houston Texans to see if Metchie would be available in a trade, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz on Monday. Schultz noted it's unclear if Houston will trade the Alabama product.

Might the New England Patriots be among the teams calling Texans general manager Nick Caserio?

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently attempted to trade for receiver Brandon Aiyuk and kept the door open on New England further exploring the trade market. Wolf has tried to add at the position this offseason.

We previously questioned whether Metchie could be a potential target for the Patriots. After all, Houston's receiver room is one of the deepest in the league and Metchie is no lock to make the roster. Houston acquired Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills this offseason, extended Nico Collins and has 2023 third-rounder Tank Dell joining those two atop the depth chart.

Metchie has two years left on his rookie contract with cap hits of $2.2 million (2024) and $2.5 million (2025). He's a cheap asset that would fit New England's rebuild timeline and offers some enticing traits.

The 24-year-old does not have the production that pops off the page. He wouldn't be involved in trade talks or potentially nearing the waiver wire if that was the case. Metchie missed his rookie season after he was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2022. He returned for the 2023 campaign and played 29% of offensive snaps en route to 16 receptions for 158 yards in 16 games.

The Patriots have plenty of bodies in their receiver room. They have roster locks in DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton. New England also has Kendrick Bourne on the physically unable to perform list while Jalen Reagor and Kayson Boutte competed for a roster spot all summer.

But might Metchie have potential that entices those at One Patriot Place?

Both the Texans and Patriots have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to trim down their respective rosters, meaning we might receive an answer in short order.