Browns Acquire WR John Metchie III in Trade with Texans
August 18, 2025 — The Cleveland Browns have added depth to their wide receiver room, officially acquiring John Metchie III from the Houston Texans in a deal that also involves future draft picks.
The Browns receive Metchie along with a 2026 sixth-round pick, while tight end Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick head to Houston.
A Fresh Start for Metchie
Metchie, a former second-round pick out of Alabama, battled adversity early in his career, overcoming a leukemia diagnosis before making his NFL debut in 2023. Known for his precise route running and reliable hands, the 24-year-old wideout brings upside and youth to a Browns offense looking for playmakers behind star receiver Amari Cooper.
In Houston, Metchie showed flashes of promise but was buried in a crowded wide receiver rotation featuring Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs. Cleveland hopes a change of scenery will allow him to carve out a bigger role.
Bryant Heads to Houston
On the other side, Harrison Bryant departs Cleveland after four seasons. The tight end was a steady rotational piece behind David Njoku, recording 89 receptions and 10 touchdowns in his Browns tenure. With the Texans, he could provide valuable depth and red-zone production for quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Draft Pick Swap
The exchange of late-round picks in 2026 provides a modest balance to the deal. Cleveland sacrifices a fifth-rounder but gets one back in the sixth, softening the cost of adding a young receiver with untapped potential.
What It Means for the Browns
Receiver Depth: Metchie slides into a rotation with Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore. Offensive Flexibility: His ability to play both inside and outside gives Kevin Stefanski more versatility in play design. Roster Balance: Trading Bryant signals confidence in Njoku as the lead tight end and faith in younger depth options at the position.
What It Means for the Texans
More Weapons for Stroud: Bryant adds another reliable pass-catching option to Houston’s offense. Future Draft Capital: The slight upgrade in draft picks reflects the Texans’ strategy of building for long-term depth.
The Bottom Line
This trade gives Metchie a chance to reboot his career in a new system while giving the Browns another intriguing piece for their passing attack. For Houston, it’s a low-risk move that adds tight end depth and an improved draft slot.
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