JM #13

John Metchie III

Wide Receiver · Alabama

John Metchie III overcame a leukemia diagnosis that cost him his rookie season to carve out a role as an NFL receiver, and now reunites with former Alabama teammate Bryce Young in Carolina.

John Metchie III's NFL journey has been defined as much by resilience as by talent. A prolific Alabama receiver who was a favorite target of Bryce Young in college, Metchie's rookie year was derailed by a cancer diagnosis before he even played a down, and he's spent the years since fighting to reclaim his role on offense.

★ Two-time Jon Cornish Trophy winner at Alabama

★ Led Alabama in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2021

★ Second-round pick, No. 44 overall, 2022 NFL Draft

★ Returned to the field after an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia diagnosis

Path to the league

Metchie starred at Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide in receiving in 2021 with 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns alongside quarterback Bryce Young, and won the Jon Cornish Trophy twice as college football's top Canadian player. The Houston Texans drafted him in the second round, 44th overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Metchie was forced to sit out his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in July 2022, a diagnosis that overshadowed his draft outlook. He fought back to reach the field with Houston before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and later the New York Jets, working to establish himself as a reliable receiving option.

2025 season recap

Metchie opened 2025 with the Eagles, playing just 7% of offensive snaps over his first seven games, before being traded to the New York Jets on October 29. His role expanded significantly in New York, where he played 78% of offensive snaps down the stretch. He has since signed a one-year deal with Carolina, reuniting with former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.