The Arizona Cardinals signed a trio of experienced tight ends in free agency but doubled down on building that position group in the second round of the draft by selecting Colorado State tight end Trey McBride at 55th overall.

McBride, the first player at his position off the draft board, won the Mackey Award as the best tight end in the country this past year. He went for 1,121 yards and a touchdown on 90 receptions.

He joins a room that notably includes Zach Ertz, Maxx Williams and Stephen Anderson. Williams, however, is recovering from a season-ending knee injury.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein considers McBridge a versatile tight end.

Two-way tight end with the size, strength and ball skills to help impact games in-line and in space. McBride has room for improvement at the point of attack, but possesses the thickness and determination of a true, in-line blocker. He’ll need to improve his angles and play strength to even out the wins and losses against NFL competition. McBride lacks top-end speed and quickness into the route, but he can snap off route breaks and has the body control and sticky hands to win contested catch battles.

The pick was the first of the 2022 draft for Arizona general manager Steve Keim, who traded his first-round choice at 23rd overall to the Baltimore Ravens for receiver Marquise Brown and the 100th overall selection.

Arizona also holds two third-round picks that will be made on Friday. Their own third-round choice will come in at 87th overall before they make the 100th.

The Cardinals as of Friday carry five picks — two in the sixth round and three in the seventh — into Day 3 of the draft.

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