Trey McBride - TE - Colorado State
Welcome to the rookie profile for Trey McBride. McBride is a four-year collegiate tight end that plays with grit and determination that will help him become an instant starter and playmaker in the NFL. He is the most complete tight end in this year’s draft class and his competitiveness and effort to win is unrivaled. McBride put up a solid 979 yards in his first three seasons however, this past season he put up rare numbers for a tight end as he amassed 1,121 yards. Truly established himself as many of the experts’ number one tight end.
Measurables
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 246 lbs
Age: 22
40-yard dash: DNP
3-cone drill: DNP
20-yard shuttle: DNP
Vertical Jump: 33″
Broad Jump: 117″
Bench Press: DNP
College Stats
Notable Headlines
McBride was a three-star recruit out of Fort Morgan High School, Colorado, and contributed on both sides of the ball. He dominated in defense amassing 310 career tackles, 60.0 tackles for a loss, and seven interceptions however, it was his offensive capabilities that college scouts identified as the best path for McBride to take at the next level of his footballing career. And it’s not hard to see why as he hauled in 89 passes for 1,739 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Surprisingly McBride only had four offers which included California, Kansas State, and Wyoming as he opted to commit to his home state college of Colorado State. He looks set to buck a trend as he will become the first tight end out of Colorado State to be drafted in the NFL since the Ravens drafted Crocket Gillmore almost a decade ago in 2014.
In McBride’s freshman year it was underwhelming, to say the least as he only saw seven receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown as well as two rush attempts for three yards. He did however secure the starting spot the following year as we began to see glimpses of McBride’s quality as he hauled in 45 receptions for 560 yards and four touchdowns. An impressive sophomore season led to him receiving First Team All-Mountain West honors.
2020’s frustrating shortened season saw McBride featured in four games for Colorado State as he hauled in 22 receptions for 330 yards (15.0 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns. Showing us a glimpse of what was to come in his Senior year for Colorado. A short but impressive season led to McBride being named in the Second Team All-Mountain West and an All-American honorable mention from PFF.
This past season is the one that has catapulted McBride as one of, if not the best tight end prospects of the class. He had more receptions and yards in the past season than he managed in his previous three years, hauling in 90 receptions for 1,121 yards and a touchdown. After an impressive season, he was named the John Mackey Award winner, awarded to college football’s most outstanding tight end. He’s in good company as previous winners include Kyle Pitts, Mark Andrews, and T.J. Hockenson. McBride was named to all five major All-American teams as he became just the fifth unanimous All-American in Colorado program history. He was also honored in the All-Mountain West first team.
Scouting Report
Positives
McBride is a player who has gotten better each year. He has fantastic hands and is as reliable as they come in the receiving game. Even when caught up in traffic or when he’s about to get hit he will more than likely come out with the ball. This is an impressive part of his game that will make him a genuine threat in the NFL, especially when having to operate in tighter windows and coverage. The best pass-catching tight end, possibly the best receiver in the whole of college football.
McBride’s catching ability and excellent hands are a real threat when you combine it with his catch radius. At 6’4 and possessing impressive length, he’s a target that Quarterbacks can find with ease. He has a natural ability to take catches above defenders and can also bring in awkward low catches. This has helped McBride build a reputation as a big-play tight end who had become Colorado’s focal point in the receiving game, keeping the offense ticking.
He has elite-level blocking ability which will be an asset that NFL scouts will admire and make him the first tight end off the board. His previous defensive role in high school is evident and is reflected in his technique which is excellent and means he will rarely give up holding calls. McBride’s physicality is a great asset, especially in the ground game where he is more than willing to put his body on the line. He is an every-down player as his strength allows him to keep defenders in check. Whilst he’s not a wrecking ball of a player, he does a great job of halting the point of attack and stays engaged at all times, and will put opposing defenders on the ground.
Something that stands out on tape is McBride’s physicality. This is a huge part of what makes him so good in gaining extra yards after the catch. He looks to lower his shoulder and run over defenders as if they aren’t there. He’s not the pretty playmaker type of tight end that we see from the likes of Travis Kelce or Kyle Pitts in the NFL but wow, is he effective. His good speed helps him become elusive after the catch and he will make the most of any opportunities that are afforded to him.
Negatives
An area I’d like to see further progress is his route running ability. Yes, admittedly it’s a work in progress, but once it is improved he will become an insane weapon in the NFL. I am confident that with his footballing IQ he will make it happen. He has a tendency to look stiff as a route runner and will round off rather than offer any twitchiness, adding in a fake step would be a good start to assisting this. With his good level of speed and agility, he has the traits that could improve his ability to gain more separation, making route running much easier.
Compared to other tight ends in the class, his athleticism is good but he is behind other prospects on this front. Yes, he has good straight-line speed and physicality but he needs to improve on his explosiveness out of his breaks to become even more effective. Again, he has a good change of direction but it’s not quite at the elite level quality that you’d like to see in the NFL. I really am picking at the tiny details, rest assured once these parts of his game are improved he has the potential to become a future Pro Bowl-caliber player in the NFL.
Pre Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital- Round 2
Landing Spots
I have McBride projected as a second-round selection, but don’t be surprised if we see him go in the first round. A team that will be in the hunt for an instant starter at the tight end position is the Green Bay Packers, especially when you consider that their current starting tight end Robert Tonyan suffered a torn ACL, and he will become a free agent in the off-season. I think it’s unlikely they keep him.
Right now there is no better time for the Packers to draft an instant starting tight end who will be a part of their offense for many years to come. An option that makes more sense than bringing back Tonyan on a short-term deal especially after the ACL injury. The Packers’ backup tight end Marcedes Lewis’ age and the price tag doesn’t make sense for them to pin all hopes on him to be their man either.
I know a lot of you out there are saying that the Packers should be drafting a wide receiver with their superstar wide receiver Davante Adams out of contract in the off-season. He will put pen to paper and extend with the Packers – no chance will he leave Lambeau Field.
Post Draft Analysis
Arizona Cardinals- Round 2, Pick 23
Landing Spots
Trey McBride was the clearcut number one tight end of the class however, this landing spot isn’t one to get excited about. In rookie drafts, he remains a borderline value pick in the second round. But patience will be required as you’ll have to wait a couple of years to reap the rewards.
McBride will sit behind Zach Ertz on the Cardinals depth chart and he’ll have a limited role, playing 2-TE reps. In redraft leagues, McBride isn’t worth rostering however, he’s well worth that second-round capital for patient dynasty league GMs.
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Image Credit: Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports
