June 16, 2025

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is a top-two fantasy option heading in 2025. McBride is clearly quarterback Kyler Murray's favorite target, and there are zero reasons to suspect any dip in production. In fact, McBride should blow his 2024 fantasy numbers out of the water given that he only scored two touchdowns in 16 games despite finishing with 38.2% of the Cardinals' red zone targets (21). Assuming health, McBride could easily replicate 100 catches and 1,000+ yards again, but if he is able to find the end zone a handful of times this year, he will be a steal no matter where he is drafted. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing should look to get Marvin Harrison, Jr., more involved in the vertical game, but McBride's production should not be impacted much as he mainly operates between the sticks and is the heart and soul of the Arizona passing game. He led all tight ends in target share (29.3%), route participation (85.5%), air yards share (25.3%), juke rate (8.9%), and, most importantly, expected fantasy points per game (19.2). He also finished second in targets (147), snap share (90.7%), red zone targets (21), air yards (902), receptions (111), receiving yards (1146), and actual fantasy points per game (15.6). Put more simply, he is a bona fide stud in fantasy football and arguably the safest player on the board. In recognition of his stellar performance on the field and his equal importance to the offense and the development of Kyler Murray, the Cardinals made him the highest-paid tight end in the league with a 4-year, $76M contract, including $43M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $19M. His reign as one of fantasy's elite tight ends is just beginning, and managers should not shy away from his very high ADP of TE2 at the end of the second round or the beginning of the third. He is an incredibly valuable asset that gives managers a distinct advantage at a historically unpredictable and low-scoring position, and more importantly, he provides a rare consistency that provides his managers with a peace of mind that some do not believe possible in fantasy football.--Frank Dyevoich, Esq.