Cowboys rookie is officially on future Hall of Famer’s radar
The Dallas Cowboys have done a nice job filling up their tight end room. Dalton Schultz gets most of the praise, and rightfully so, but one rookie has caught the eye of the best tight end in the NFL. Tavis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is set to play in his third Super Bowl […]
The Dallas Cowboys have done a nice job filling up their tight end room. Dalton Schultz gets most of the praise, and rightfully so, but one rookie has caught the eye of the best tight end in the NFL.
Tavis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is set to play in his third Super Bowl this Sunday. However, the seven-time All-Pro took time to give kudos to some of the younger tight ends in the league, and rookie Jake Ferguson of the Cowboys was one of them.
“There are a few great tight ends out there,” Kelce said. “I don’t know if there are any that remind me of myself, but there are a few guys I’m excited about. Kyle Pitts (of the Atlanta Falcons) being one of them. (Jake) Ferguson down in Dallas and (Daniel) Bellinger over in New York. I’m excited to see how these guys manifest over the next few years and we’ll see where they can take their game.”
Ferguson was taken in the fourth round by the Cowboys last April. With Schultz playing on the franchise tag and possibly playing elsewhere in 2023, it was important for Ferguson to give the Cowboys something to be positive about going forward, and he did that, in multiple ways.
Ferguson appeared in 16 games with eight starts this season. In his 430 snaps, Ferguson only tallied 174 yards, but he caught 19 of his 22 targets (86.4% catch rate) and scored two touchdowns. Also, with the Cowboys utilizing 12 personnel quite a bit which features two tight ends, Ferguson reverted to his days at Wisconsin where he was a bruiser in the run game.
His numbers didn't jump off the board, but Ferguson's athleticism and physicality as a blocker can't be denied, and if his role is increased next season, he could likely prove that the Cowboys found a hidden gem.
Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
