By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: McBride flashed receiving ability as a sophomore in 2019, catching 45 passes for 560 yards and four touchdowns. In the shortened 2020 season, he contributed 22 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior, McBride was one of the best tight ends in college football, hauling in 90 passes for 1,121 yards and a touchdown.
After the 2021 season, McBride had a very good week of practice at the Senior Bowl and did well at the combine overall. He was a natural receiver in the field work and also was very impressive as a drive blocker with good technique. Sources from multiple teams said McBride interviewed well in Indianapolis.
McBride looks like a future three-down starter for the next level. He has the skill set to be a dangerous receiver down the seam and in the red zone, like he was in college. McBride has enough quickness to get downfield, but he is not a fast tight end. McBride displays excellent hands and is very skilled at going up high to make receptions over defensive backs. Even though he isn’t the biggest of tight ends, McBride has good body control and uses his size well to shield the ball from defenders to make receptions. McBride then uses his power to disengage from defenders to get open after contact is initiated. He runs good routes, is smart to find the soft spots in zone, and has good feel as a receiver. He should be an effective contributor in the NFL in the red zone given his receiving skill and blocking ability.
McBride is going to be an asset as a blocker for his pro team. In the ground game, he is a good drive blocker who should be a solid contributor to his team’s running offense at the point of attack. McBride also is very good in pass protection, riding defenders around the quarterback, and McBride should be a real asset as a pass protector in the NFL. Thus, he isn’t limited to one part of the offense and can be out there on every down. McBride could turn into a 10-year quality starter in the NFL.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, McBride looks like a second- or third-round pick.
Player Comparison: Dalton Schultz. McBride reminds me of Schultz coming out of Stanford. I really liked Schultz and thought he was very underrated in the 2018 NFL raft, and that looks to be the right call since the Cowboys hit him with the franchise tag after the 2021 season. McBride has tht potential to become a similar pro to Schultz, although perhaps not quite as good as Schultz has been for Dallas.
RELATED LINKS:
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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