Much can be written when the final gun sounds on the Arizona Cardinals season. Talk of quarterback Kyler Murray, an inability to close out games, and questionable coaching. But one thing is certain: Trey McBride is a rock star for the Arizona Cardinals.
Trey McBride Is a Rock Star for The Arizona Cardinals
McBride, who began his football journey at Colorado State, was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. For the Cardinals, he has proven a gift from the football gods. For fans, he is the brightest spot on too many dismal Sunday afternoons.
The Rams alum has been a quiet force for the Arizona offense. The 6 foot 4 inches, 246-pound pass catcher has become a weapon for the Cardinals. McBride has caught 66 passes for 712 yards and two touchdowns. In contrast, receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns. On a team void of any serious outside threat, McBride is a welcome sight. He also sets the table for what the Cardinals might do in the draft.
If, and with three weeks it is a big “if”, Arizona is a part of what will and will not happen with the upcoming draft order. With the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots slated to pick before the Cardinals, the thinking is wide receiver and not quarterback.
For now.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is still the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 to Chicago. Williams would significantly improve Chicago while also boosting the profile of the NFC North. Additionally, the Patriots will add a signal caller as New England could be in a full-blown overhaul with Bill Belichick rumored to be gone. The longtime architect of the Death Star has not been able to recapture that magic since the days of Tom Brady.
This leaves the Cardinals with an absolutely “must have” pick in Marvin Harrison Jr., the star wide receiver from Ohio State University. This pick makes a ton of sense as Brown looks to be sliding into obscurity, and Arizona has few outside, deep-threat playmakers. A player like Harrison Jr., paired with McBride gives the Cardinals some promise to be multi-dimensional beyond Murray. It doesn’t change the outlook of the NFC West completely, but it brings some depth to compete against rival San Francisco.
Trey can't stop ballin#ProBowlVote x @mcbtrey#ProBowlVote x @mcbtrey#ProBowlVote x @mcbtrey pic.twitter.com/WQ7VMhIBX5
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 19, 2023
Tight End is not a question mark heading into the draft
Against the Niners in Week 15, the “Never Say Die” attitude was one that quickly dissipated as San Francisco began to roll. It showed a gap in talent from coaching to to the bottom of the depth chart. The 45-29 Cardinals loss showed a gap that MHJ doesn’t close but gets Arizona closer and much more competitive. With the organization still hamstrung by empty shelves, the Cardinals will need to target some key positions. Most notably on the offensive line, defensive backfield, and EDGE rusher.
With all that said, the Cardinals found a diamond in the rough with Trey McBride. Already the comparisons to Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, and George Kittle are being made. Whether the comparisons are true, overstated, or not yet reached, McBride has started a positive conversation. Something elusive for Arizona this season.
Main Photo: [Michael Chow/The Republic] – USA Today Sports
