The ultimate Chicago Bears 2022 NFL Draft rankings and guide
By Ryan Olson
Chicago Bears Big Board No. 9: John Metchie III, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Projected Late Day 2/ Early Day 3
Target for the Bears at Pick(s): Pick 71/Day 3 trade-up
John Metchie is one of my favorite players in all of football. Metchie first broke onto the scene in 2020 after Jaylen Waddle went down. He stepped up into the WR2 spot seamlessly, contributing massively throughout the season.
Metchie was a high production player throughout college because of his high-level route-running skills, in addition to his very high football IQ. In Metchie’s routes, you can tell he is a savant of the game with all the little crafty extra things he does in his routes. Metchie is also very good against zone coverage as he finds the soft spots of zone defense with ease.
Metchie’s one downfall is that he is not an amazing athlete. His speed is very average and he is of average size at best. When he could’ve boosted his draft stock at the Combine with a good 40 time, he tore his ACL in the SEC championship game, leaving him unable to partake in the Combine.
However, you can tell Metchie is a student of the game, loves playing football, and is willing to do anything to win. Metchie never shies away from throwing a block and getting dirty, and Metchie could be an instant contributor in the slot for the Chicago Bears because of his elite route running. I doubt he will ever become a superstar due to his lackluster athleticism, but Metchie could be a very solid piece for a team willing to take a chance on him.
Metchie is also coming fresh off an ACL tear which makes his timetable unclear for the near future.