Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride didn’t hold back when asked about the team’s polarizing first-round pick. And frankly, he didn’t seem to care what the draft analysts think.
McBride joined the podcast “Bussin’ With the Boys” this week and let loose on Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame running back the Cardinals took third overall. The draft grade came back as a B-minus from most outlets. A lot of people thought Arizona would go quarterback. Instead they took a running back who finished as a Heisman finalist. McBride sees it differently.
“That dude’s a f—— stud,” McBride said to former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. “He’s a stud, man. Just the few practices that we had together, his route running and his ability to f—— making plays is pretty cool.”
The praise didn’t stop there. McBride talked about what it’s like having Love on the field with him, even in just a handful of spring workouts.
“I’m excited to have him on our side for sure,” the tight end said.
Why the Love Pick Threw People Off
Here’s the thing. Arizona ran the ball worse than almost everyone in the league last season. They finished 31st in rushing. No running back cracked 334 yards. That’s bad. So getting a back like Love makes some sense on paper.
But taking him at No. 3 overall? That’s where the room got quiet. Most mock drafts had Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson sitting there as the best QB available. The Cardinals have questions at that position. They passed anyway.
New head coach Mike LaFleur and general manager Monti Ossenfort went with the guy from South Bend. Love ran for over 1,400 yards last season and scored 19 touchdowns. He’s got the tape. But draft value is about more than tape for most front offices.
McBride doesn’t have to worry about any of that. He just has to block for the guy or catch passes alongside him. And from what he’s seen so far, he’s fine with it.
The veteran tight end is known around the league for his physicality after the snap. He can seal an edge. He can run routes. If Love hits the holes McBride helps create, that rushing attack might look a whole lot different this fall. Training camp hasn’t even started yet.
Leave a Comment