Canadian receiver John Metchie III could be 3rd-round pick, NFL draft expert suggests

If Jarvis Landry is done with the Cleveland Browns, NFL draft guru Daniel Jeremiah suggests Canadian John Metchie III could be a nice fit with the club.

Cleveland released Landry, a five-time Pro Bowl receiver, last month after four seasons. But it seems Landry has narrowed his 2022 choices between returning to the Browns or joining the New Orleans Saints.

Cleveland heads into the NFL draft with needs at defensive line and receiver. With no first-round selection, the Browns are expected to look at filling the first hole with their second-round pick (No,. 44 overall) then shift their attention to receiver with either of their two third-round selections (No. 78 and 99, respectively).

The five-foot-11, 186-pound Metchie had a team-high 96 catches last season at Alabama for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He opted to skip his senior campaign and declare for the NFL draft, which begins Thursday in Las Vegas.

Metchie, of Brampton, Ont., had 155 receptions for 2,081 yards and 14 TDs at Alabama and helped the Tide capture an NCAA title in 2020.

Jeremiah, NFL Network's draft expert, has suggested Metchie could be selected in third round of the draft, and provide excellent value for any team taking him. On Thursday during a conference call, Jeremiah said Metchie could be a fit in Cleveland.

"If you were saying, OK, who's the closest thing to Jarvis Landry, as he's moved on, I think John Metchie would probably be that guy from Alabama," Jeremiah told reporters.

On Tuesday, Metchie was named the top prospect for the '22 CFL draft May 3. Then he received the Jon Cornish Trophy as Canada's top NCAA player for a second straight year, joining B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke as the only