The Patriots are clearly putting in some work at the wide receiver position at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
After reports on Tuesday that they were meeting with projected first-round picks Chris Olave, Treylon Burks and Jameson Williams, more names that could go in the second round and beyond emerged on Wednesday.
One of the most interesting: Alabama wideout John Metchie. While Williams never played with Patriots quarterback Mac Jones at Alabama (he transferred in from Ohio State this past season, after Jones was already gone), Metchie did.
Metchie was Jones’ No. 2 receiver (behind DeVonta Smith) for much of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 championship season, as the then-sophomore stepped in for the injured Jaylen Waddle. He finished that season with 55 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. Metchie got even better as a junior, finishing this past season with 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games.
Metchie suffered a torn ACL in the SEC Championship Game, but told reporters that his rehab is going well and that he expects to be cleared in time for training camp.
Metchie confirmed he has met with the Patriots and said he would welcome the opportunity to play with Jones again, especially given the recent trend of some teams reuniting college teammates (like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati or Tua Tagovailoa and Waddle in Miami).
“It’s definitely something I’ve heard, and especially seeing the trend of teams liking to unite quarterbacks and receivers, or just former teammates together. I think Mac-10 and I would be special for sure,” Metchie said.
Metchie is projected to be a second- or third-round pick.
The Patriots have also met with a third Alabama wide receiver, Slade Bolden. Bolden is a slot receiver who’s projected to go later in the draft. He had 24 catches for 270 yards playing with Jones in 2020 before jumping up to 42 catches for 408 yards this past season. Bolden was roommates with Jones and said he models his game after Julian Edelman, so he will certainly be a name to keep an eye on.
Kentucky wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson also confirmed that he has met with the Patriots, while Nevada’s Romeo Doubs and UCLA’s Kyle Phillips confirmed previous meetings with New England at the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, respectively.
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