A Steal of a pick from Wisconsin

[TequilaCowboy]

I wouldn't say he is an A + blocker, or a incredible receiver. He is solid and dependable. Which is all the Cowboys need. As long as he can sustain blocks or screen opponents from runners and get you the short passes Schultz was feasting on, that is all you need. He definitely has given the Cowboys the option to let Schultz go next season and not give him the big contract. He is practically a Schultz clone but a bit more dependable blocker.

 

[nightrain]

My neighbor who works for the post office knows more.

 

[Runwildboys]

I think of that every single time I see his face or his name...That, and how much he looks like he's trying to eat his own face when he talks.

 

[Robster8989]

I just watched every offensive snap vs Michigan and Penn St. and here are my takeaways.

-He is a VERY smart football player. Always knows the right angles for blocks and always gets to HIS man on the 2nd level. Being the grandson of Barry Alvarez, i believe this is just in his blood lol
- Definitely struggles with point of attack, drive blocking against bigger defensive ends and LBs. He needs to get stronger, which he will. He just doesn't have the "junk in the trunk" right now for this to be a positive.
- He definitely excels at sealing the backside on running plays and is excellent at trap blocks and open field blocks. I believe the Cowboys will utilize this to its fullest as we know they love using the TE as a lead blocker a lot. There were blocks, in the 2nd half of the Penn St. game, that had me oooooing and ahhhing. lol
-His hands are EVERY BIT as good as advertised. Wow...

IMO, this guy was an absolute steal. Smart, tough, great route runner, hands of a god, plenty of speed IMO, will be even better as a run blocker as he gets stronger.

Really well put, objective take.
Smart and willing blocker, understands angles etc.
Likely not strong enpugh yet to move NFL DEs and LBs around.
Very good pass catcher and route runner.
I think that's a really good 4th round pick.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Reports are all over the place with this guy. Some say he’s a plus blocker, others say he can’t block at all.

i remember a lot of people said Micah can’t cover. There’s a difference between can’t and won’t asked to do.

 

[LittleD]

Mel Kipper smells fishy

He looks fishy...like a tadpole.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Look for some awesome tight end blocking from Jake Ferguson from Wisconsin, whose players usually are better in the pros. Jake is an A+ blocker, 4 year starter. He will be the best blocking TE on the Boys ever, not named Billy Joe Dupree and Jason Witten.

He will make an immensely big improvement in the running game. He is a ready to play, all purpose TE, a better blocker than the other TE's in the draft. He needs no learning curve. He will make a big impact from the outset. His slower 4.81 speed kept him from being a 2nd round pick. But he does not have to run longer routes. In addition, although not fast, Jake catches everything, knows how to get open, and is a super smart player on the field. I want him in on all short yardage plays and at goal line snaps.

https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/w...erguson-delivers-an-all-around-game/printable

"A linebacker, receiver, punter, and all-around specialist for Madison Memorial High School, Jake Ferguson entered his tenure at the University of Wisconsin needing time to heal his body and develop into a serviceable tight end over time. He has ended up doing more than that. In a Wisconsin passing game that could best be described as sporadic during his tenure, Ferguson has been the one constant. He’s been a reliable tight end for a multitude of quarterbacks – Alex Hornibrook, Jack Coan, Graham Mertz, and Chase Wolf – and made plays no matter how banged up or bruised he is."

“He makes plays when plays need to be made. He gets open for a pass, he’s making a play. That’s the thing we preach about him is his unselfishness. He doesn’t care how many receptions he’s getting. He cares about winning, and you can see that with the way he works.”

“He’s unselfish in the run game,” Beach said. “He blocks the hell out of guys. It’s so awesome to see that.”

Dalton was drafted as a top blocking TE out of Stanford. But he was a horrible blocker last year. Ferguson has NFL TE blocking skills right now, knowing angles, leveraging and has superior on-field intelligence. In addition, he catches everything thrown his way. Great hands.

I like the pick, but that is the first time I have heard that he is a great blocker. Most times I heard he is adequate.

 

[CowboyRoy]

i remember a lot of people said Micah can’t cover. There’s a difference between can’t and won’t asked to do.

There was one poster in particular that said he couldnt rush the passer.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Look for some awesome tight end blocking from Jake Ferguson from Wisconsin, whose players usually are better in the pros. Jake is an A+ blocker, 4 year starter. He will be the best blocking TE on the Boys ever, not named Billy Joe Dupree and Jason Witten.

He will make an immensely big improvement in the running game. He is a ready to play, all purpose TE, a better blocker than the other TE's in the draft. He needs no learning curve. He will make a big impact from the outset. His slower 4.81 speed kept him from being a 2nd round pick. But he does not have to run longer routes. In addition, although not fast, Jake catches everything, knows how to get open, and is a super smart player on the field. I want him in on all short yardage plays and at goal line snaps.

https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/w...erguson-delivers-an-all-around-game/printable

"A linebacker, receiver, punter, and all-around specialist for Madison Memorial High School, Jake Ferguson entered his tenure at the University of Wisconsin needing time to heal his body and develop into a serviceable tight end over time. He has ended up doing more than that. In a Wisconsin passing game that could best be described as sporadic during his tenure, Ferguson has been the one constant. He’s been a reliable tight end for a multitude of quarterbacks – Alex Hornibrook, Jack Coan, Graham Mertz, and Chase Wolf – and made plays no matter how banged up or bruised he is."

“He makes plays when plays need to be made. He gets open for a pass, he’s making a play. That’s the thing we preach about him is his unselfishness. He doesn’t care how many receptions he’s getting. He cares about winning, and you can see that with the way he works.”

“He’s unselfish in the run game,” Beach said. “He blocks the hell out of guys. It’s so awesome to see that.”

Dalton was drafted as a top blocking TE out of Stanford. But he was a horrible blocker last year. Ferguson has NFL TE blocking skills right now, knowing angles, leveraging and has superior on-field intelligence. In addition, he catches everything thrown his way. Great hands.

improvements to the running game won't be mainly because of a blocking TE. it would have to be the OL. if the middle of the OL is not fixed and they can't get a push, then it doesn't matter. blocking TE is secondary to running game success. if he is the only TE in the game, then there is no threat of a pass to him, so the defense will just load the line, clog the lanes. in a 12 personnel, with Schultz, the defense would have to respect the pass. again, if the middle of the OL (C, LG) doesn't have improved play, its not going to make a big difference.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

LLLOOOLLL, Classic!

 

[Mcsports]

Yes, he does. He was the focal point of their passing game but the QB struggled to get it to him in the games I watched.

I really like the pick and think this guy is immediate and productive 2nd TE and has upside to be a 1 if they choose to go that route with Schultz.

It will be nice to have another receiving threat at tight end. That’s a position where craftiness and intelligence can outweigh athletic traits.

 

[reddyuta]

I think of that every single time I see his face or his name...That, and how much he looks like he's trying to eat his own face when he talks.

 

[Captain-Crash]

nice blocking video.

 

[pancakeman]

Badger players coming into the NFL have a great heritage. So mnay of them become better than projected in the NFL. They have a great program up there. They preach blocking. No way Ferguson is a starter for 3 years without being a top blocker.

Though the commenter (Christ Trapasso) at the CBS draft tracker said "Not your classic Wisconsin TE. Average-at-best blocking."

 

[kskboys]

My neighbor who works for the post office knows more.

As well as your neighbor who works for the post office's dog.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[kskboys]

I think so too.

Only reason he fell is because Belly has everyone enamored w/ 4.5 TEs. Those only work if u have a great short passing game w/ your slot WR's.

 

[ThatJerryKid]

Only one question left because the Cowboys love 12 personnel. Do you sign Schultz long term and run with Schultz and Ferguson the next 4 years or let Schultz walk after this year and draft another TE early next year?

 

[MRV52]

Can we ask the liquor store guy if this kid can block?

 

[Pass2Run]

I think he was the best draft pick this season for us.

You could be right.

He has a high ceiling.