Prospect Bio

Trey McBride grew up an hour and a half away from Colorado State’s campus. McBride was a three-sport athlete at Fort Morgan High School, excelling in football, baseball, and basketball. He totaled 89 receptions for 1,737 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in his career, while rushing for 361 yards and three touchdowns. McBride also played defense, accumulating 310 tackles (60 for loss), 14 sacks, seven interceptions and six blocked punts. In the 2018 high school class, McBride ranked as a three-star prospect according to 247Sports. He was ranked the 67th tight end, the 7th player in Colorado, and the 6th highest prospect in Colorado State’s recruiting class.

As a true freshman, McBride appeared in all 12 of Colorado State’s games, earning five starts. McBride was able to play with two future professionals in Preston Williams and Olabisi Johnson. McBride’s role expanded in 2019 with the departure of Williams and Johnson. McBride finished third on the team in receptions and receiving yards and tied for the second-most touchdowns. He tallied his first 100-yard game, posting nine receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown against Boise State.

From that Boise State game until the end of his college career, McBride became the leader of the team. A shortened junior season due to the pandemic saw McBride record at least four receptions in every game, scoring four touchdowns. McBride’s senior season was one of the best in school history. His 90 receptions and 1,121 receiving yards were both the most nationally by a tight end and ranked 13th and 21st overall. McBride recorded at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards in 11 games. McBride closed his Rams’ career with the 7^th most receptions and 8th most receiving yards in school history.

College Stats

Trey McBride College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com

Positives

+ Plays with physical toughness

+ Experience as the primary offensive target

+ Good hands

+ Route running

+ Versatile: can align at the Y, F, H or FB

+ Big play capability

+ 46.3 college dominator (99th percentile, PlayerProfiler)

+ 4.61 40-yard dash (89th percentile, PlayerProfiler)

+ 108.4 speed score (85th percentile, PlayerProfiler)

Negatives

– Not an overpowering inline blocker

– Can improve on separation

– Below-average catch radius

– Can improve run blocking technique

– 10 touchdowns over 40 career games (164 receptions; 236 targets)

Highlight Reel

Comparable Player: Austin Hooper

NFL Draft Projection: 3rd round

Bottom Line:

Trey McBride is coming off the best statistical season amongst tight ends, winning the Mackey Award for most outstanding tight end. He has the speed to create separation and can be a team’s top weapon in the passing game. However, there is a concern that McBride only scored once on 90 receptions and 134 targets. And over his career, he has just 10 touchdowns on 236 targets. Nonetheless, McBride will likely be a Day 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Based on his profile, the Trey McBride dynasty rookie profile suggests he would come off the board in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts. McBride would rise up draft boards in tight end premium leagues. Obviously this depends on where he gets drafted, but McBride will likely be the first tight end off the board in rookie drafts, and potentially the NFL Draft.

Post Draft Analysis:

Trey McBride landed in Arizona as a late second round pick. The Cardinals have been trying to solve the tight end position for a few years and now they have their long term answer. Tight ends typically take longer to develop than running backs and wide receivers so by the time McBride is ready to move into the TE1 spot, the incumbent Zach Ertz won’t be in the way. McBride is in a tier by himself atop this tight end class.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

Yards Per-Formance Prospect Grade