John Metchie addresses possibility of draft stock dropping due to injury

John Metchie had a standout career at Alabama before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in the Crimson Tide’s win over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, which forced him to miss the team’s next two games in the College Football Playoff.

Despite suffering the significant injury, Metchie – a former On3 Consensus four-star recruit – made the decision to forego his remaining college eligibility and entered the 2022 NFL Draft. By making that choice, there’s a chance that Metchie will now be drafted in a spot lower than previously expected.

Rated as the No. 7 wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft class by ESPN prior to his injury, Metchie – who made 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns this season – is now projected by most mock drafts to be selected somewhere in the second round.

Ahead of the NFL Draft Combine, which Metchie won’t be able to participate in as he continues to recover from his ACL tear, he was asked if he thinks that his draft stock has dropped because of his injury.

“I don’t really get that sense [from teams],” Metchie said, as posted on Twitter by Mike Rodak of AL.com. “I don’t really sense much concern from my injury. Everything checks off. Everything’s going well, rehab’s going well. Them looking at my knee is going well.”

Metchie talks meeting with Patriots, possible reunion with Mac Jones

Could former Alabama teammates John Metchie and Mac Jones reunite with the New England Patriots? If it comes to fruition, the former Crimson Tide star wide receiver believes the duo could be elite.

“Alabama’s John Metchie said he’s really close with Mac Jones. He was happy to see Mac have success last year,” tweeted Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. “Said he’s met with the Patriots here at the Combine. The receiver thinks he and ‘Mac10 would be special.'”

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.