7 tight ends the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Noah Bryce
Carolina Panthers could draft Trey McBride (Colorado State)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 249 pounds
2021 Stats:
- 90 receptions
- 1,121 receiving yards (12.5 YPR)
- 1 touchdown
- 94.8 PFF grade
Trey McBride is the best tight end in this class and there is no use arguing otherwise. Especially when considering the game’s steady departure from running and the waning importance of a blocking specialist at the next level.
McBride is a big body and uses that to his advantage. The All-American player consistently gets defenders on the back foot with a quick sidestep at the line and uses his size to box out so that he is the only one with a chance at the football.
Sure hands ensure that when the ball does go his direction it is almost guaranteed to be caught, no matter the amount of contention on the pass. Time after time McBride showed the ability to take the hit at the moment of the catch and play through it and more often than not break through for extra yards.
Even before the catch McBride shows great promise as a route runner. He will not blaze by you to get open but instead, rely on extremely polished route running to gain the separation needed before turning on the jets to torch defenders or even just run through them.
On top of all of this, McBride has an insane football IQ for his position. The former Colorado State standout never gives anything but maximum effort, never seems to just let things be, and shows up in the big moments.
The only real negatives to McBride’s game lie in blocking. A place that Tommy Tremble fills in very well for the Carolina Panthers anyway.
McBride needs to develop better hand placement and use of his strength, especially in pass protection and longer developing runs. Defenders tend to slip off blocks relatively easily at points – he can buy you a few seconds but anything longer than that is a liability.
His high IQ can spill over into arguments and poor body language at points as well which can be an issue at the NFL level if McBride decides to voice his concerns to the wrong party.
McBride would instantly fill a rather large void for the Panthers as the talented rookie can line up anywhere on the field and produce. The team would finally have that middle-of-the-field target that keeps defenses on their toes and the speed he shows with the ball in his hands is truly special.
If McBride falls to a place the Panthers can get him, it’s a no-brainer.