Rams Add Another Round 2 TE
Ferguson will have a chance to lead Rams TEs in production this season. Beat writer Nate Atkins of The Athletic even wrote in May that the Rams “hope” Ferguson “takes the lead” in the TE group.
First, he’ll need to beat out the deepest TE group in the league. Colby Parkinson enters a contract year after leading the unit with 43 catches, 408 yards, and 8 TDs, and in 12 shared games he beat Ferguson in targets (46 to 25), catches (35 to 11), yards (361 to 231), and TDs (6 to 3).
The Rams added even more talent to the TE room with Round 2 pick Max Klare. He finished third on Ohio State in receiving last year and brings the hands and route-running chops to contribute early.
Then there’s Tyler Higbee, who returned this offseason on a two-year deal. His $3.4 million in guarantees ranks just 48th among TEs (per Spotrac), and his 21 missed games over the past two seasons suggest the Rams can’t count on him for a sizable role.
Even if Ferguson leads Rams TEs in fantasy scoring, the edge figures to be thin in an offense that still runs through Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Their 55.1% combined target share led all WR duos last season.
Ferguson's Involvement Should Rise in Year 2
L.A. led the league in 1-RB, 3-TE sets (“13” personnel) last year at 30.5%, well ahead of the No. 2 team (Pittsburgh, 14.2%). Interestingly, the Rams finished with the third-lowest rate of 2-TE sets (9.6%).
The Rams lost OC Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals, but this has long been HC Sean McVay’s offense. Look for the Rams to continue leaning into 3-TE sets, especially after spending a high pick at TE in back-to-back drafts.
Paths To Ceiling
Ferguson needs a Year 2 leap, a larger role, and continued efficiency.
Ferguson also needs Stafford to hold off decline after leading the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and TDs (46) while finishing third in attempts (597) last year.
The Rams also ranked top-8 in total plays, pass rate over expected, and red-zone pass rate over expected, all key for a TE unlikely to rank near the top of the position in snaps and route rate.