Where Does Bijan Want to Land in the NFL Draft? John Metchie Returns to the Texans, and Other NFL Bullets
Good morning! We’ve got some sunshine in the Chicagoland area today, and I feel pretty good. Tomorrow, I will be in Kansas City for the NFL Draft. While I’m glad we’ve made it through the pre-draft process, I’m excited to cover the draft and get my hands on some delicious Kansas City BBQ for the first time in a few years. We have a can’t-miss KC BBQ guide for those attending the NFL Draft today.
- Texas’ Bijan Robinson is the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. Still, it’s been hard to peg where he may land in the first round of the NFL Draft. The running back position in the NFL is at the lowest value that I can remember in my lifetime, so taking a running back in the top 10 seems too taboo for most teams.
- However, Robinson knows where he would like to play! Well, at least who he would like to play with. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky asked Robinson which NFL quarterback he would like to play with if he had his choice. Robinson chose Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts. Robinson also said his visit with the Eagles this month went very well.
- Orlovsky said that if the Eagles took Bijan Robinson, Robinson would be his pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. That’s a slam dunk pick if things shake out that way. The Eagles pick at No. 10 (via New Orleans), and Robinson could still be on the board. ESPN Analytics draft predictor has Robinson being available at No. 10 at about a 90 percent chance right now. ESPN’s draft predictor has the chances that the Eagles take Robinson at about 13 percent, which is higher than any other slot in which Robinson could be taken.
- Most mock drafts have the Eagles taking an offensive or defensive lineman. Still, I think the upside of Philadelphia taking Robinson at No. 10 and plugging him into that Eagles offense in the middle of a contention window is pretty darn appealing.
- Aaron Rodgers has arrived in New York:
- I unpacked the Rodgers trade on Monday. So, if you missed that, it’s worth a read today:
- The Tennessee Titans took a step forward in their bid for a new stadium. In a vote of 26-12, Nashville City Council approved the deal. The vote came after an “impassioned five-hour public hearing.” The Titans are building a $2.1 billion stadium. The deal includes a record amount of public money, “at least” $1.26 billion.
- How awesome is this?
- Pictured (top right) is wide receiver John Metchie, who missed his entire rookie season while battling cancer last year. However, the former Alabama wide receiver has successfully beaten Leukemia and is taking part in the Texans’ offseason program. The Texans drafted Metchie with the 44th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- New Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said last week that Metchie is “doing fine” and will be a part of the program. Ryans said that Houston will take it one day at a time and see where he can be when the time comes. Metchie caught 96 passes for a career-best 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season at Alabama.
- The Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings picked up the fifth-year options on Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson on Tuesday afternoon. Both players are expected to land lucrative long-term extensions in the near future.
- Well, this is depressing …
