Tag: Trey McBride

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 41 Trey McBride

Colorado State TE Trey McBride is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Jace Sternberger in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The following year the Packers once again selected a tight end in the third round when they drafted Josiah Deguara.

Sternberger is no longer on the roster and Deguara has flashed potential and entering his third year in the league could be a potential breakout candidate.

Will Robert Tonyan get re-signed after suffering a season-ending injury earlier this season? Even if he is re-signed he was nowhere near as productive as he was in 2020 when he hauled in 11 touchdowns.

With so many question marks surrounding the tight end position, expect the Packers to look early and often for upgrades this offseason.

A player that Brian Gutekunst could target on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft is Trey McBride. The 2021 John Mackey award winner checks in at No. 41 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

The Colorado State tight end recorded 45 receptions for 560 yards and four touchdowns during his sophomore season in 2019. In four games in 2020, McBride recorded 22 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns.

This past season McBride led all FBS tight ends in receptions (90) and yards (1,121). The yardage total was the most in a single season by a tight end in Mountain West history.

McBride built off his historic season with a strong performance during Senior Bowl Week. The Colorado State tight end was named the top tight end of the National team.

McBride is a big-bodied target that thrives on making catches in a crowd. He’s fearless over the middle.

He may not be the fastest tight end in the class, but he has more than enough quickness to threaten the seam. He accelerates well off the line of scrimmage. He thrives in intermediate routes, where he has the burst to create separation.

The Colorado State tight end might be the best hands catcher among tight ends in the draft. He catches it away from his body and looks to move upfield without throttling down.

“He has good, strong hands that swallow everything in reach,” Kevin Lytle, the Colorado State beat writer for the Coloradoan, said. “He doesn’t have the elite length or athleticism of some but if he can get to it he’ll catch it even under pressure.”

McBride isn’t dynamic after the catch. However, he’s strong and powerful and fights for extra yards. With his size and toughness, he can be a load to take down in the open field for cornerbacks.

“He’s good at making tough catches and is difficult to bring down after a reception,” Lytle said. “McBride’s competitive nature is fierce and could benefit any team.”

McBride is a natural in-line tight end. With his size and strength, he’s one of the best run blockers among the top-tiered tight ends in this class. His ability as a blocker is what separates him from the likes of Greg Dulcich (UCLA) and Isaiah Likely (Coastal Carolina). He’s able to create movement with his leg drive and upper body strength.

“He’s a good run blocker,” Lytle said. “He’ll have to improve some bits of technique and strength but he is a very willing at often ferocious blocker. He takes pride in it.”

McBride is a combo tight end. He can block in-line. At times Colorado State had him split out wide. He did a bit of everything for the Rams. He was the Alpha on Colorado State’s offense and teams still couldn’t slow him down.

Between the receiving ability and blocking prowess, McBride has made his name known as an all-around weapon at the tight end position.

Fit with the Packers

McBride is the most polished tight end in the draft. It usually takes tight ends a year or two before they are true difference makers, but McBride could provide an immediate impact as a run blocker and in the passing game.

Last season as a rookie, Pat Freiermuth hauled in 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s reasonable to expect a player as well-rounded as McBride to provide similar or even better production during his rookie season if he were to land in Green Bay.

With Aaron Rodgers officially back in the fold for the next two or three years, Gutekunst needs to continue to surround him with a strong cast of supporting characters. The Packers have a need at tight end and if McBride is on the board in the second round, it would be hard to pass on a player of his ilk. With no clear starter at the position, McBride could be a day-one starter for the Packers.

There are no clear holes in McBride’s game. He’s a solid blocker and was the focal point of Colorado State’s aerial attack the past two seasons. He has all the tools to be a long-term starter in the NFL and could quickly develop into a quarterback’s best friend.

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Could TE Trey McBride soar with a competent QB like Cowboys’ Dak Prescott?

Colorado State TE Trey McBride has some quality traits that could see him taken on Day 2. How well does he fit with Dallas? Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) reviews his film.

In some form or fashion, the Cowboys are going to be in the tight end market come draft time. Colorado State’s Trey McBride is a highly decorated player who went for 2,100 yards on 164 receptions and had nine touchdowns over his career with the Rams. The touchdown numbers aren’t anything to write home about but considering his QB situation they aren’t too shabby.

McBride doesn’t exactly have the CJ Strouds or Bryce Youngs of the world throwing to him at Colorado State. The fact that he put up that many yards in that offense proves he is a reliable target you can go to in any situation. Now does he fit with the Cowboys? Let’s take a look at his film.

Seven round Browns mock draft from Mock Draft Database

What happens when the computer and @joshkeatley16 seemingly merge for a mock draft simulator? A very different kind of Browns mock draft:

This week the NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing and like most NFL fanatics it is always a bright spot in the off-season to get the testing results, but we have to make do with what we currently have. We have been using mock draft simulators from The Draft Network, but I wanted to mix it up this week and try out the interesting mock on NFL Mock Draft Database.

Just like in previous versions, I did an automated simulation without my opinion. In the following slides, I will provide the simulation’s selection and then my choice instead in the next slide. To be honest, I was actually shocked I agreed with so many of the selections.

Breakdown of possible Titans draft target, TE Trey McBride

Trey McBride should be on the Titans’ radar in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Tennessee Titans will undoubtedly be in the tight end market this offseason. Their top three from last season are set to become free agents, and the team could use an upgrade at the position.

The Titans will probably address the position in some capacity via free agency, but there are also some intriguing options that they could consider selecting within the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL draft.

One of those prospects that stands out the most among the group is Colorado State tight end, Trey McBride, someone the Titans have met with down at the 2022 NFL Combine. The young tight end put on a show at the event, where his workout matched what you often see on film.

Let’s dive into what makes the Colorado State product such an intriguing prospect for the Titans.

Name: Trey McBride

Position: Tight End

College: Colorado State

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 246 pounds

Tight end standouts from the first day of scouting combine drills

These five tight ends helped their draft stock the most during the first drills of the 2022 scouting combine.

There may not be a first-round tight end in this draft class, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a Pro Bowl starter at the position in the later rounds. The 49ers stole George Kittle in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of Iowa, the Ravens got Mark Andrews in the 2018 draft out of Oklahoma, and theChargers got Hunter Henry in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Oklahoma.

So, it’s important to watch this year’s class of tight ends as they go through their combine drills, and here are the guys who stood out as those drills got underway on Thursday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Giants stock up in Chad Reuter’s latest three-round mock draft

In the latest mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, the New York Giants stock up and add value at several different positions.

With free agency still a month away and the 2022 NFL draft soon to follow, it’s difficult to gauge what teams are thinking right now when it comes to their needs for the upcoming season.

For the New York Giants’ new general manager, Joe Schoen, things are very complex at the moment with little cap room to work with and a roster full of holes.

In his latest three-round mock draft, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has the Giants filling some of those needs with five selections in the first 103 picks. Here’s how Reuter sees it unfolding.

Round 1, Pick 5: Ikem Ekwonu N.C. State · OT · Junior

Ekwonu is a wide-bodied stud who has lighter feet than you’d expect for someone with his girth. The Giants could play him at guard or tackle.

With Evan Neal off the board, this is a solid pick. The Giants like versatility and Ekwonu can give it to them. The only problem is if Ekwonu ends up at guard, they would have used a top 5 pick on him and that goes against positional value here.

A pure tackle would be better here. Or even a trade back for a slew of picks might be better. Just a quick note, the Giants would be passing on Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to make this pick.

Round 1, Pick 7: Devin Lloyd, Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

Lloyd steps into the middle of the Giants’ defense, providing run-stopping ability but also the athleticism to work in coverage and attack the passer. He showed some potential to affect games as a pass rusher like Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons did last fall when given the chance.

It’s s bit of a stretch to compare any player to Parsons but this pick would be welcomed by Giant fans. Big Blue has avoided taking linebackers in the first round for the last 40 years but in this spot, it appears to be warranted. Lloyd is a stud. The Giants could use some of those.

Round 2, Pick 36: Trey McBride, Colorado State · TE · Senior

Another rough and tumble player who could continue the Giants’ long legacy of greatness at tight end. McBride won the Mackey Award this past season and had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He is an excellent pass catcher and blocker and they would be lucky to get him as he may be off the board here. McBride’s presence would instantly make Daniel Jones better.

Round 3, Pick 67: DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky · Edge · Senior

One can argue the Giants should take another offensive lineman here as there are still a lot to be had and heaven knows they need some. But they also need players who can get to the quarterback and Malone — a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year — will be difficult to pass on with new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale needing pieces to ramp up the pass rush.

Round 3, Pick 103 (via 49ers through Dolphins): Rachaad White, Arizona State · RB · Senior

This is likely Saquon Barkley’s last year with the Giants unless he can convince them he can still be elite. The Giants will likely take a running back in this draft to suit their needs. They also could use a versatile running back with some size and durability and White checks all of those boxes.

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Chargers Wire’s winners, risers from 2022 Senior Bowl: Offense

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez and Cole Topham break down the 2022 NFL draft prospects that made themselves money at the Senior Bowl.

Now that the 2022 Senior Bowl is over, it is time to reflect back on the meaning of the week.

Which NFL draft prospects helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile? Let’s dive in with our winners and risers.

Quarterback

Our winner(s): Kenny Pickett (Pitt) and Malik Willis (Liberty)

Pickett refused to have his hands measured at the Senior Bowl, citing an issue with his double-jointed finger. No matter how much stock you place in the hand size of quarterbacks, Pickett was accurate and put together quality performances across all three days of practice. He was accurate, progressed through his reads quickly, and got the ball out in a timely fashion.

Throughout the week, Willis was an interesting study. His lower body fundamentals can be a mess at times in the pocket and Willis will need a strong coaching staff to develop that area at the next level. However, his ability to extend plays, find receivers on the run, and throw off-platform are traits to salivate over. The ball zips out his hand and I did not see a pass wilt on him all week. 

Our biggest riser: Carson Strong (Nevada)

Like Willis, Strong entered Senior Bowl week as a wild card of sorts. By the event’s conclusion, Strong had done enough to disassociate himself from that label. For starters, he clarified the medicals around his knee and did not wear a brace after sporting one all through the 2021 season at Nevada. This resulted in increased mobility and comfortableness exiting the pocket and operating on bootlegs. Strong was fearless throwing the deep ball in practice, showing off his cannon and throw power. Sometimes, the ball would have too much arc, which increased the hang time, and often the receiver would have to sit on the end of the rope to make the catch. Nevertheless, Strong proved he has the intangibles to play quarterback in the NFL.

Running Back

Our winner(s): Abram Smith (Baylor) and Brian Robinson (Alabama)

A compact rusher at 5’10” and 220 pounds, Smith was the best all-around running back in Mobile. A former linebacker, Smith showcased that physicality by punching through the line with vigor and running through tacklers with his frame. His deceiving burst allowed him to quickly dip in and out of the box.

Robinson performed well in every facet of the position but gained the respect of defenders for his work in pass protection. When practice was moved indoors on Thursday, Robinson put together his best showing. He bowled over Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall in a National Championship blitz pickup rematch. It was one of the more memorable moments at the Senior Bowl this year.

Our biggest riser: Rachaad White (Arizona State)

White introduced himself to those on the East Coast who fell asleep before he fueled the Sun Devil offense this season. White brought all the traits to the Senior Bowl that made him a star in ASU’s backfield. His jump-cut ability, soft hands out of the backfield, and methodical approach behind the trenches to allow the offensive line to root themselves in their blocks are all translatable to today’s NFL playstyle.

Wide Receiver

Our winner(s): Christian Watson (NDSU) and Calvin Austin III (Memphis)

Hulking 6’4” size and a spiderweb-like catch radius. Fluid hips and freakish speed that defy the physics of his frame. Strong hands and tracking skills to reel in the football through traffic. Watson dominated in pretty much every aspect of the wide receiver position at the Senior Bowl and quickly garnered the “unguardable” tag from the media in attendance. 

Austin III was expected to be one of the Senior Bowl’s high-profile wideouts but surprised on Monday by measuring in two inches shorter than expected. The 5’7” speedster evaporated concerns over his height by becoming untouchable off the line and separating consistently on every level of his route. Austin’s electric route running and dauntless mentality was thrilling to watch and won the respect of a talented American defensive back group.

Our biggest riser: Bo Melton (Arizona State)

A legacy product out of Rutgers, Melton showed off one of the more advanced release packages at the Senior Bowl. Melton displayed exceptional short-area quickness and overall smoothness as a route runner. He ran a technical route tree, incorporated rocker steps as well as hesitation at the top of his stems, and was used heavily as a gadget player for the National offense in 11-on-11.

Tight end

Our winner(s): Trey McBride (Colorado State) and Jeremy Ruckert (Ohio State)

McBride, the John Mackey Award winner, reaffirmed that he is this year’s No. 1 tight. Not only did he flash by catching nearly everything thrown his way during practices, but McBride showed athleticism in his routes to create separation, ran through arm tackles to pick up yards after the catch and finished plays with aggression. Further, McBride displayed the chops as a blocker. He capped off his impressive Senior Bowl week with a touchdown in the game.

Ruckert’s production was limited because of the offense he played in at Ohio State. Throughout the week, not only was he adept as a blocker but he showed why he is going to be far more reliable in the passing game as a pro. Ruckert looked smooth with his routes and his ball skills stood out, as he made grabs away from his body.

Our biggest riser: Greg Dulcich (UCLA)

McBride reassured that he remains the top tight end in this class, but Dulcich made a statement as one of the guys right behind him. At his best catching the football, Dulcich displayed fluid downfield strides and an understanding of route depth, with vacuum-like hands to reel in everything thrown his way. For a team like Chargers in need of someone to fill the “F” role, Dulcich is worth considering.

Offensive line

Our winner(s): Zion Johnson (Boston College) and Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)

Johnson was our top guard coming into the week and he only helped maintain that spot with his showing throughout the week. While it took some time for him to adjust to center after spending his time in college at tackle and guard, Johnson quickly found his groove. With a combination of play strength, lateral quickness, leverage and proper hand placement, defenders struggled to get by him. He also provided a surge in the running game.

After facing and dominating small-school pass rushers, this was a big test for the presumed first-rounder. While it wasn’t always pretty for him as he struggled with leveraging and keeping his balance against power at times, Penning improved each day, with his mauler’s mentality and nasty temperament when finishing plays being the highlight of the week.

Our biggest riser: Cole Strange (Chattanooga)

After Quinn Meinerz put together a dominant week coming out of a Division III program, everyone was wondering if there would be another small-school stud to follow in his footsteps, and it was Strange. When isolated in pass protection in one-on-one drills, Strange stymied his opponents with a great anchor, base, and power absorption and the footwork to mirror. Further, he created consistent movement in the run game. Strange made his case to be a Day 2 selection.

SKOL Search: What can Vikings learn from Mobile?

The 2022 Senior Bowl was jam-packed with talent. Who should the Vikings keep an eye on?

The Senior Bowl is a fantastic event for many reasons, but the biggest reason is how much you can learn from this class. Over 100 players attend the event in Mobile to show off their skills and speak with teams. Throughout the week, players are put through drills to showcase their skills and traits.

The Senior Bowl staff, led by director Jim Nagy, has done a fantastic job not only finding players from high profile programs, but also standouts from the lower levels. These lower level guys usually have dominant tape, but this platform gives teams the ability to see them compete on an even playing field.

Players like Ali Marpet, Kyle Dugger and Carson Wentz have massively benefitted from being invited to Mobile.

When down in Mobile, there are a lot of different things you can take away from the event. Along with learning about the players, it’s also a major outlet for scouts and media to converse and learn more about what other teams think of the class and to hear what rumors are swirling.

After having been in Mobile this past week, here are the five biggest takeaways for the Minnesota Vikings.

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Biggest winners from 2022 Senior Bowl week

Highlighting the NFL draft prospects who made themselves money at the 2022 Senior Bowl.

Another Senior Bowl is officially in the books, and just like every other installment, this year’s week of festivities saw a handful of NFL draft prospects send their stock in the right direction with impressive performances.

Here are my picks for the biggest winners from the 2022 Senior Bowl:

The 8 best potential Jets targets to watch in the Senior Bowl

The Jets should have their eyes on these eight prospects during Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

The Jets spent the week in Mobile closely evaluating the talent taking part in Senior Bowl practices.

Now, it’s time for the real thing.

The National Team, which is led by New York’s coaching staff, will take on the American Team in the annual Senior Bowl game on Saturday afternoon. Practice evaluations are arguably the most important aspect of the Senior Bowl, but the game will provide the Jets with one last look at some of the 2022 NFL draft prospects they fancy in live-action.

Taking care of business in a practice setting is one thing. Getting the job done during a game is a completely different story. Which prospects should the Jets be watching closely on Saturday? Here are eight of the best to keep an eye on.