Trey McBride: Can He Be the Top TE?

Photo: USA Today Sports

Trey McBride is entering his third NFL season and is ranked as our consensus TE3 in PPR formats. He is highly anticipated following a breakout 2023 campaign. He concluded with 81 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray returned from an ACL injury in Week 10, and the duo connected for 53 receptions for 538 yards and two touchdowns. In eight games, McBride accumulated with Murray:

• 65% receptions
• 65% yards
• 67% touchdowns

He averaged 8.3 targets per game while averaging 10.2 yards per reception. It should be noted WR Marquise Brown had three targets over the last five games of the season, not playing the final three games. McBride averaged 8.2 targets during this span. Additionally, rookie WR Michael Wilson averaged 4.8 targets, and WR Rondale Moore averaged 3.4 targets.

Not only did McBride accumulate targets, but he also finished this span among tight ends with the highest target share, fourth-most yards per route run, and fourth in red zone targets. He finished the season with only two red zone touchdowns.

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Out with the old, in with the new

The Arizona Cardinals did not re-sign WR Marquise Brown and traded WR Rondale Moore during the offseason. Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected by Arizona in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the fourth overall pick. Additionally, WR Greg Dortch signed a one-year, exclusive-rights tender, and Zay Jones signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million.

You want your tight end to be a top target on the team, especially if you are investing high draft capital in the asset. McBride is ranked as our consensus 34^th overall asset for the 2024 draft rankings. It does appear he will remain a top target for Murray, sharing the distribution with rookie Harrison. Second-year Wilson and fan-favorite Dortch will likely have a role, too. Jones will help stretch the field. On no account of significant threats to take away the potential from McBride's ascension.