Can John Metchie III return to form in 2024?

John Metchie III spent most of the 2023 season grateful for his return. An ACL injury and a battle with leukemia sidelined him for his entire rookie season, making the former Alabama prospect grateful to see his name among the Texans’ 53 active players in 16 of the 17 matches played last season.

Although Metchie was jubilant about returning to the game, his mediocre production left him wanting more by the end of the season. Metchie was far from the player the Texans envisioned when they drafted him in the second round (44th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

READ MORE: Can Brandon Hill climb the depth chart?

He had 158 yards on 16 catches. The highlight of his sophomore season came in Houston’s Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos. Midway through the second quarter, Metchie missed an opportunity to record his first career touchdown. Quarterback CJ Stroud overthrew Metchie on a wide-open pass attempt, in which the two respective sides appeared out of sync.

Five months after his missed opportunity in December, Metchie has had an entire offseason to focus on football, and the results could lead to him establishing himself as a vital member of the Texans’ offense in 2024.

In the latest episode of Locked On Texans, Coty M. Davis and John Hickman discuss how OTAs will be the start of Metchie’s return to form as a player who once established himself as one of the best receivers in college . During his final season in 2021, Metchie recorded a career-high 1,142 yards on 96 catches and eight touchdowns.

“He’s got a ton of value – a huge impact that I think he’ll bring this season,” Stroud said on April 15. “I think last year was good for getting my feet back in the water after an injury and then something as traumatic as being sick like he was.

“His mindset is he’s just ready to come back and play. Not only is he a great football player, but he’s a great person and I wouldn’t want anyone but those guys in this piece. Metchie looks amazing.”

READ MORE: CJ Stroud helps residents affected by deadly storm

Stick with TexansGameday for more coverage on the Houston Texans throughout the offseason.

Be sure to subscribe to our daily podcast Locked on the Texans Today!

Follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24.