High-end NFL Player Comp(s):
James Robinson (pre-injury) Low-end NFL Player Comp(s):
Joshua Kelley
Best Scheme Fit: McBride appears
to be a natural in a zone-blocking scheme. Given his complete
lack of usage in the passing game, he may have to settle for an
early-down pounder role.
Best Team Fit(s): Dolphins, Chargers, Titans,
Buccaneers
Non-bolded times - Good examples of attribute Bolded times - Average/poor examples of attribute
* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For running backs, a player needs to be a
three-down option as well as a realistic threat for 1,000 rushing
yards and 500 receiving yards to be a candidate for a perfect
grade. Positional scarcity at the pro level is also a part of
the equation.
Positives
McBride's power and contact balance are outstanding for a 209-pound
running back (215 at his pro day). Per Pro Football Focus, he finished
his career with a 36 percent forced missed tackle rate - trailing
only Bijan Robinson and Javonte Williams among FBS running backs
since PFF began charting college football in 2014. As his 1,072
yards after contact last season would suggest, he is going to maximize
nearly every run and will break a few for chunk gains because he
is typically churning his feet even when it appears the play is
over. (His 4.6 yards post-contact ranked No. 1 in the FBS in 2022).McBride
does a fine job of pressing the hole and is usually patient enough
to let his linemen do their job so he can do his. The Florida native
also processes what he sees in the moment very well and is nimble
enough to jump out of one gap and into the next at a moment's notice.
While his top-end speed is about average for a running back prospect,
it is telling he led the nation in 20-yard runs (23) and 30-yard
runs (13) and was either first or second in the country in runs
of 40-plus (eight), 50-plus (five) and 60-yard runs (four).
Negatives
Without question, McBride's biggest question mark is ball security;
he fumbled 11 times over the last two seasons. On four of the five
fumbles from 2022 cited above, he was running too upright. While
running upright does not necessarily cause fumbles as much as poor
fundamentals and/or defenders punching at the ball, it makes McBride
an easier target to strip AND hit - meaning he probably carries
more of an injury risk than other backs. The next most obvious concern
is not so much a weakness as a complete unknown. Even in a run-based
offense, it is almost unthinkable that a productive two-year starter
such as McBride would have only five catches over two seasons. The
Doak Walker Award semifinalist was a man amongst boys quite often
in Conference USA, but UAB's level of competition was not great
(six of the Blazers' 12 foes in 2022 ranked 100th or lower in run
defense. Georgia and LSU were the only two Power Five opponents
he faced in three seasons with the Blazers). While patience is one
of his best qualities in the open field, he will occasionally try
to be too quick to the hole. McBride will also stop his feet a bit
too often when he needs to create on his own.
Bottom Line
UAB asked McBride to do one thing (run) and he did it exceedingly
well. In fact, the Blazers were almost as productive handing the
ball off to him (7.4 yards per attempt) last season as they were
throwing the ball (8.2). He ran for 120 or more yards in 10 of
11 games in 2022 with the lone exception coming against the only
Power Five school UAB faced (LSU; 13 carries for 34 yards). Outside
of fumbling the ball 11 times in two seasons, McBride's biggest
problem right now is that the Blazers did virtually nothing to
prepare him for the pass-happy NFL. Just because McBride didn't
catch the ball or block much in college doesn't mean he is incapable
- there are countless examples of players who have proven this
fallacy wrong - but it at least casts doubt on his ability to
do it.
McBride could be a bit of a revelation if he ends up with a run-heavy
team (think Jordan Howard from 2016-18 with the Bears). Given
his current limitations (and/or lack of experience) in the passing
game, the best he can probably hope for is that his new team already
has a passing-down specialist at running back and needs an early-down
grinder. McBride will likely pay the price for entering a league
that does not prioritize that quality much anymore and probably
serve as a backup for most - if not all - of his first year or
two in the league.
Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and been featured
in USA TODAY's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He
is also a high-stakes player who often appears as a guest analyst
on a number of national sports radio shows, such as Sirius XM’s
“Fantasy Drive." Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association.
