FanSided recently released their top 50 overall player rankings entering the 2026 season. Considering the Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of a rebuild and coming off a three-win season, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Trey McBride was the only one to make the cut.
However, what is surprising is how low McBride was on their rankings, coming in at just No. 37.
The Cardinals' elite tight end is coming off the best season of his career, finishing 2025 with 1,239 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, and 126 receptions. That wasn't just elite for his position; that was among the best of any pass catcher in the league.
Trey McBride remains underrated despite a career season
Factoring wide receivers into the mix, McBride still ranked second in receptions, third in targets, sixth in yards, and tied for second in touchdowns. He's right up there in these categories with the top tier of receivers, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Puka Nacua. So why is he ranked so much lower than all these receivers who found their way into the top 20?
Maybe positional value played a factor, but even then McBride is ranked behind Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who came in at No. 33 despite having the less productive season.
FanSided's Jake Beckman points out the pass-heavy nature of the Cardinals' offense, which may have inflated McBride's stats some. But he also adds that the offense revolves around McBride because, well, he's that good.
"It helps that the Cardinals were the most pass-heavy team in 2025, but you’re only the most pass-heavy team if you have pass catchers who can keep up with the sheer amount of volume. McBride can do that, does do that, and he did it more than anyone ever has."
The counterargument to McBride getting more work relative to other pass catchers, particularly tight ends, is this: look who is throwing him the ball!
Jacoby Brissett is continuing his contract holdout as he wants to be paid a starter level salary, but it's also not great leverage considering he's one of the worst starters in the league heading into 2026. If McBride had an average quarterback or even if the Cardinals were under more of a national spotlight, he'd absolutely be higher on this list.
His career season solidified McBride's place as one of the most talented offensive weapons in the entire league. He should be considered a borderline top-25 player, and the fact that he comes in 12 spots later just goes to show how underrated he remains in the desert.
Add us as a preferred source on Google