Stefon Diggs trade could open an opportunity for Chiefs to acquire Texans WR John Metchie III

The Buffalo Bills' decision to trade WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans could create an opportunity for the Kansas City Chiefs to make a trade of their own to acquire a wide receiver. 

Diggs joins a crowded wide receiver room in Houston and his addition creates a logjam of sorts. Players like Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown, and Robert Woods are atop the depth chart alongside Diggs, but a former 2022 second-round draft pick could wind up as the odd man out. 

John Metchie III was a highly productive receiver coming out of the University of Alabama. In his two years before declaring for the 2022 NFL draft, Metchie had a combined 151 catches for over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, his NFL career got off to a tough start for reasons he had no control over. In the SEC title game, he tore his ACL, which already meant he wasn't going to play much as a rookie.

Just three months after he was drafted, Metchie announced he would miss his rookie season after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He finished his cancer treatment and was cleared for training camp the following year, and while getting back on the field after his battle was a great success, he didn't quite have the most productive season in Houston. 

Appearing in 18 total games for the Texans in 2023, Metchie caught just 19 passes for 202 yards. He's yet to score his first career touchdown in the NFL, but there were some positive signs toward the end of the year.

That said, Metchie was already the fifth or sixth option for this particular offense, and Diggs' arrival could push him even further down the depth chart. A change of scenery might not just make sense, but it might be necessary for Metchie to recapture any of his former glory from his Crimson Tide days. 

Why would this trade make sense for the Chiefs?

The Chiefs have shown prior interest in Metchie, having hosted him on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. He went six spots ahead of the K.C.'s original second-round draft pick (which they ultimately traded to the Patriots). He went 10 slots before K.C. selected Skyy Moore in the 2022 NFL draft. If the Texans hadn't taken Metchie, it's possible that the Chiefs could have considered him in the second round. 

The 23-year-old Metchie is listed at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, and played both out wide (250 snaps) and in the slot (123 snaps) during the 2023 NFL season with Houston. That type of versatility could certainly help Kansas City, especially if they lose Rashee Rice for any period for an NFL personal conduct policy suspension. 

In the Texans' resounding victory over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC playoffs, Metchie recorded three receptions for 44 yards and one rushing attempt for nine yards. It was the best single game of his career and suggests that he's on the right path, but just needs more opportunities. 

Compensation required to acquire Metchie would also likely be minimal for the Chiefs. He hasn't been a big producer for Houston thus far. He's in danger of getting cut with all of the players in the Texans WR room. Getting something for him is much better than just having to cut him outright in 53-man cutdowns. After trading away a fifth-round pick in 2025 for Diggs, Kansas City could likely offer a Day 3 pick in return for Metchie, maybe even just a conditional draft pick. 

While this might not be the splashiest move at the wide receiver position for Kansas City, it certainly raises the floor for the group. If Metchie works out, he's under contract through 2024 and 2025, giving the Chiefs another affordable option at wideout.