Canadian receiver John Metchie III has signed his rookie contract with the Houston Texans, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
The four-year deal is expected to be worth $8,070,172, including a signing bonus of $3,049,216.
The team drafted Metchie in the second round, 44th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Alabama. He is expected to start next season in a paper-thin Texans receiving corps.
Projected by many as a first-round pick entering the 2021 season, the native of Brampton, Ontario started 13 games for the Crimson Tide as a true junior and earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honours. He recorded a team-high 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, before suffering a torn ACL in his knee during the SEC Championship game and seeing his stock fall.
Metchie III first burst onto the NCAA scene in 2020 as a key component of an Alabama receiving group that featured two first-round picks, including Heisman winner DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. The six-foot, 195-pound Canuck caught 55 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, becoming the first Canadian in 17 years to win an NCAA national title.
The two-time winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian player in the NCAA has drawn comparisons to five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry due to his slick route running and versatility to play outside or in the slot.
Metchie is continuing to recover from his season-ending knee injury but has been on the field for Texans’ mini-camp this week. He is expected to be medically cleared ahead of training camp.
