2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the Commanders’ best WR options on Day 2

2. John Metchie III, Alabama

If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for route-running ability. That’s my highest “graded” criteria when looking at wide receiver prospects, and I believe out of the wideouts I’ve mentioned here, Alabama’s John Metchie III takes the cake for best route-runner.

From Metchie’s use of the D’Lo Brown head-fake as a route runner, to the burst and footwork he displays to create separation is impressive, but also, he’s very patient and calculated as a route-runner as well. I threw out a lot of adjectives there to describe his ability, and I know there are a lot of different traits within those claims, but that just shows you how impressive and versatile Metchie is as a route runner.

After the catch, Metchie is an animal. Whether it’s off screen catches or simply at the second level where he’s asked to create with the ball in his hands, he’s a menace out in the open field.

With a grade against man coverage given to him via Pro Football Focus that places him around the 90th-percentile, when I say Metchie is a threat when creating separation, beating press with ease, dominating after the catch, out of the slot, the Alabama product’s game just translates to the next level.

Washington would be in good hands with the selection of Metchie, although he’s recovering from an injury. Once he’s healthy, though, look out.