TE Jake Ferguson

kskboys said:

Moving the chains is a game changer. Teams such as ATL and KC have lost in the playoffs due to lack of the ability to move the chains.

Why is it that everyone suddenly thinks that every TE has to be a downfield receiver? I don't get it. LAR just won the super bowl w/ a chain moving TE, and Cincy has the same type TE. What's up w/ this obsession?

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Their QB and their system allowed them to do without the dangerous TE,
.. we don't have that kind of QB nor system, not coaching. So anything of luxury and extra we'll need more so.

tm1119 said:

Lol come on man, that’s just embarrassing

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I'm not sure what you want. What I saw on tape is him as a good blocker at least better than what we've had around here for a long time (Including Witten). I'm sorry that I don't go back and pull interviews or save them for same future possible discussion. You're argument with me about this subject just isn't that important to me.

Ourlads on Jake Ferguson:

Jack Ferguson – TE Wisconsin 6-4, 250 4.77
3 year starter, Madison WI.
Earned 1st team All Big 10 honors in both 2021 and 2021 and 2020, honorable mention
in 2019,

- Fall as just below in the line when it comes to difference making speed and size
for the position, but he brings a well-balanced skill set to the table that can
at least somewhat hinder that.

- At least somewhat hinder that. A smart and savvy receiver with plus-ball skills.
- Makes the acrobatic catch look easy and can create with the ball in his hands.
- Struggle to make a consistent impact as a blocker, as strength below the waist
and inability to latch onto his man showed up on tape several times.

-Will fill the back end of a depth chart early and can develop into a rotational player if
he can gain and maintain mass and power.
- Balanced play-style with experience in multiple alignments and roles.

- Explosive footwork out of his breaks as a route runner.
- Gets his head around with suddenness and body control.
- Hands are always ready to pounce and shows natural quickness and coordination
to the pass.
- Very reliable pass catcher that rarely lets it hit the turf.
- Athleticism shows up in a phone booth.

- Effective after the catch, playing both big and agile with a natural feel for defense.
- Finds creases as both a ball carrier and route runner.

- Lacks a solid power presence in line.
- Does not get a push off the ball and shows poor hand strength when it comes to
latching and controlling his man.
- Needs more mass on his frame. -Gets thrown off his point by contract too easily.

-Fourth or fifth round.

Waletzko is a better blocking TE right now, especially vs DL.

tm1119 said:

Areas for improvement
“Ferguson’s best plays generate a lot of excitement, but the Wisconsin TE still has work to do. Especially as a blocker, Ferguson is fairly inconsistent. He doesn’t always have the necessary strength to sustain blocks, and he doesn’t generate much movement against larger defenders. Ferguson gets knocked off balance easily due to his relatively light frame and can sometimes take faulty angles.”
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/jake-ferguson-wisconsin-te-nfl-draft-scouting-report-2022/


“While he gives effort as a blocker, he wasn't a great fit for what Wisconsin asks of their tight ends in the running game and he's likely to be overmatched if asked to take on defensive ends in the NFL. He is a solid receiver and a below-average blocker with TE2/3 potential.“
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jake-ferguson/32004645-5214-6119-2797-33878db83d5a


“He has the mentality needed for blocking duties, but his average play strength and technique will be more pronounced in the NFL. Overall, Ferguson doesn’t have much style, but he has substance because of his above average ball skills and competitiveness as a blocker. He has the upside to be an NFL team’s No. 2 tight end.”
From Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide

From what I’ve watched…




I will give Ferguson credit for being a willing blocker, and I don’t think he will hurt the team as a blocker…but I definitely don’t see a plus blocker by any measure. He’s not nearly big or strong enough to move DE’s or big LB’s to open holes. But like I said, at least he’s willing to get in the way. Can he get significantly stronger and better as a blocker after 5 years at Wisconsin? Maybe, but not sure it’s something I’d count on…


Fee free to point out which plays you see a plus blocker…or which “most” of the experts are that say he is a “good” blocker.

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BAT said:

Would have taken TE Isaiah Likely or OL Zach Tom.

Ferguson is okay, not a game changer on offense as receiver or blocker.

May never even be a starter.

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I liked Likely as more of a Jarwin-type option, but Ferguson is the kind of TE this team values. Not saying they don't want a more vertical threat, but blocking and being a reliable underneath target are more important to them.

tm1119 said:

He reminds me of Jason Witten…after the age of 35.

Knows how to find open spots underneath and has reliable hands. Willing blocker who usually does just enough to get in the way of a defender.

However, doesn’t have the speed or overall athleticism to threaten teams down the field. Nor is he strong enough to be a plus blocker.

Jack of all trades, master of none type of guy. I think most scouting reports matchup to what I see…high floor/low ceiling player who should have a career as a solid TE2.

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Witten wasn't much faster (4.65 40 compared to 4.73), so I'm not sure how much Ferguson will be able to threaten downfield. So much depends on the ability to sell the underneath stuff. When Witten was drafted just a round earlier, I don't think anyone expected him to become a Hall of Famer. Not saying Ferguson will be one, but I don't see any reason to try to put him in a box. You never know. There are reasons he wasn't taken earlier or before several other TEs. We'll see if he can outplay those reasons.

gimmesix said:

I liked Likely as more of a Jarwin-type option, but Ferguson is the kind of TE this team values. Not saying they don't want a more vertical threat, but blocking and being a reliable underneath target are more important to them.

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Both Schultz and Ferguson are try hard but not elite blockers.

Jack of all trades, masters of none type.

We can find those types at end of draft, UDFA and for cheap in FA.

BAT said:

Both Schultz and Ferguson are try hard but not elite blockers.

Jack of all trades, masters of none type.

We can find those types at end of draft, UDFA and for cheap in FA.

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Most of the name TEs in the league are good/great receivers and pretty lacking in the blocking area.

Fergie will be the best TE out of this draft.

quickccc said:

Their QB and their system allowed them to do without the dangerous TE,
.. we don't have that kind of QB nor system, not coaching. So anything of luxury and extra we'll need more so.

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Disagree.

Teams w/o chain movers often fail in super bowl bids.

kskboys said:

Disagree.

Teams w/o chain movers often fail in super bowl bids.

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Chain movers can be WRs or TEs.

BAT said:

Both Schultz and Ferguson are try hard but not elite blockers.

Jack of all trades, masters of none type.

We can find those types at end of draft, UDFA and for cheap in FA.

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I think a lot of the time we think player acquisition is easier than it is. We expect mid-round picks to turn into stars and late-round picks and UDFAs to turn into starters. Certainly, you can get lucky and stumble onto players like Ferguson and Schultz at the end of the draft, UDFA, etc., but it isn't all that likely, which is why both players were taken where they were taken. While I would have preferred Likely, I have no problem with the team taking Ferguson while looking for their next Schultz or better.

kskboys said:

Fergie will be the best TE out of this draft.

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If so, Dallas would be fortunate because I don't think he was their top target at the position in the fourth round. In fact, the way that they talked, they just wanted to get one of the group of tight ends that they basically had clumped together. That's why I laugh when we talk about how good a team drafts. If a team actually had it's pick of players, it might not have turned out so well for them. After all, if we'd had our way in 2016, we would have ended up with Paxton Lynch or Connor Cook instead of Dak.

I've said it before, but Ferguson feels really Schultz-ey as a blocker.

Dalton Schultz was billed as a run blocker coming out of Stanford, because of clips like the Ferguson ones above where he'd pancake sub-NFL athletes. But in the pros, it turns out he kind of sucks at blocking. The effort is there, but the power to anchor against mutant NFL DEs isn't.

Ferguson has average size and pretty poor leg drive. He will give effort as a blocker, and IMO effort is half the battle for skill-players blocking, but he's not going to level DEs like Tyler Higbee does.

gimmesix said:

I liked Likely as more of a Jarwin-type option, but Ferguson is the kind of TE this team values. Not saying they don't want a more vertical threat, but blocking and being a reliable underneath target are more important to them.

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The better Jarwin-esqu TE would have been Lucas Krull. But he's been signed by the Saints.

Some folks that claim to follow the draft really just parrot what they’ve read and treat it like gospel. It’s equal parts mind numbing and hilarious; happens every year. To me, the most interesting part of the draft is evaluating players in your own and drawing your own conclusions.

BTW, let me know when Schultz has done this?

CalPolyTechnique said:

Some folks that claim to follow the draft really just parrot what they’ve read and treat it like gospel. It’s equal parts mind numbing and hilarious; happens every year. To me, the most interesting part of the draft is evaluating players in your own and drawing your own conclusions.

BTW, let me know when Schultz has done this?

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beware_d-ware said:

I've said it before, but Ferguson feels really Schultz-ey as a blocker.

Dalton Schultz was billed as a run blocker coming out of Stanford, because of clips like the Ferguson ones above where he'd pancake sub-NFL athletes. But in the pros, it turns out he kind of sucks at blocking. The effort is there, but the power to anchor against mutant NFL DEs isn't.

Ferguson has average size and pretty poor leg drive. He will give effort as a blocker, and IMO effort is half the battle for skill-players blocking, but he's not going to level DEs like Tyler Higbee does.

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The failed blocks by Schultz have primarily been open field blocks.
- Once he is moving, he struggles to 'break down' and stay balanced while making open field blocks.
- His blocking angles in the open field have also been an issue.
- i.e. On an outside runs he tends to push the defender in the direction of the runner.

Schultz has been 'good enough' in regards to inline blocking.

Ferguson only needs to be a better blocker than Schultz and equivalent receiver in order to be well worth a 4th round pick.
- The probability of any 4th round TE becoming a top 10 NFL TE is quite low.

The Cowboys should find a way to draft Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in 2023.
- He 'breaks ankles' of defenders as well as any TE that I've seen including Pitts.
- He is as freakish of an athlete as Pitts but his footwork in/out of breaks reminds me of Amari Cooper.

xwalker said:

The failed blocks by Schultz have primarily been open field blocks.
- Once he is moving, he struggles to 'break down' and stay balanced while making open field blocks.
- His blocking angles in the open field have also been an issue.
- i.e. On an outside runs he tends to push the defender in the direction of the runner.

Schultz has been 'good enough' in regards to inline blocking.

Ferguson only needs to be a better blocker than Schultz and equivalent receiver in order to be well worth a 4th round pick.
- The probability of any 4th round TE becoming a top 10 NFL TE is quite low.

The Cowboys should find a way to draft Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer in 2023.
- He 'breaks ankles' of defenders as well as any TE that I've seen including Pitts.
- He is as freakish of an athlete as Pitts but his footwork in/out of breaks reminds me of Amari Cooper.

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I would love a top TE but decent chance we are picking bottom 3rd again.