Cardinals rookie TE Trey McBride ‘fell in love’ with Arizona while training

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“Arizona is going to be perfect.”

Trey McBride, a tight end from Colorado State whom the Arizona Cardinals selected with the No. 55 overall pick of the NFL Draft, was enthusiastic about his new home while on the phone with Cardinals management Friday evening.

In a video posted by the Cardinals on social media, McBride gushed over the Valley and the opportunity to play for his new team when he received his draft call.

McBride told reporters that he trained at EXOS in Phoenix and wanted to buy a home in the area regardless of where he was drafted.

“Man, I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life.”

The call that made @mcbtrey an Arizona Cardinal. pic.twitter.com/tZjOlJzRNk

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 30, 2022

“I fell in love with the place,” McBride told Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill. “I’m just thrilled as hell.”

McBride was the highest rated tight end on Cardinals general manager Steve Keim’s board, he disclosed to media members.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told McBride on the phone that he did not think the former Ram would be available with the No. 55 pick.

McBride had the fifth most receiving yards by a FBS tight end in a single season in 2021 with 1,121. He caught 90 passes and won the John Mackey Award, which goes out to the top tight end each year.

Keim told reporters that he likes McBride’s catch radius, movability, hands and leadership as a team captain in college.

The rookie joins a position group with veteran Zach Ertz, whom he is eager to learn from.

“He’s such a great player, he’s such a great pro and I’m just excited as hell to learn behind him,” McBride told Kingsbury.

The Cardinals used their first two draft picks to bolster the offensive arsenal, trading their first-rounder to the Baltimore Ravens for wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Injuries stressed the Cardinals’ depth last year, and they enter 2022 with more fire power for quarterback Kyler Murray.

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