​The Dallas Cowboys boast a remarkably talented offense, and it’s hard to find someone who would dispute that assessment. Explaining why the unit shines, however, can be more nuanced. Naturally, the quarterback deserves a substantial share of the credit, though Dak Prescott can be a polarizing figure for some fans. When it comes to the receiving corps, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens form one of the league’s premier wide receiver duos, a pairing many would point to when attributing success to the offense. Javonte Williams is a solid running back, but he isn’t generally regarded as one of the elite backs in the NFL.
In recent months, ESPN has been compiling lists that highlight the best players at each position, drawing on conversations with executives, coaches, and scouts across the league. A few days ago, they published their rankings for tight ends. If you asked me to place Jake Ferguson among tight ends, a spot around 12th or 13th would seem appropriate. That seems to be the neighborhood where Ferguson lands in ESPN’s evaluation, as he earned an honorable mention after the top 10, with his fumbling issues being the primary reason for the penalty.
“Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: ‘He’s really solid all around, high catch volume, tough, competes in the run game. His problem is fumbling. We targeted trying to get the ball loose when we played him,’” said an NFC scout. Ferguson has seven career fumbles, all occurring in the last two seasons, which lends some credence to the concerns. Interestingly, this quote is attributed to an NFC scout who emphasized that forcing a fumble against the Cowboys was a focal point for his team, and all seven of Ferguson’s fumbles have come against NFC opponents: the Giants, 49ers, Eagles (in three different games), Cardinals, and Lions. Perhaps the scout represents one of those teams, or perhaps not, but the takeaway remains: the narrative here feels fair and grounded in observed patterns.
If you’re curious about where the top 10 tight ends stand, ESPN’s list provides that context. The Cowboys extended Ferguson’s contract during training camp last year, a modest deal that fits with the broader discussion about his role. Ferguson is a productive player who can be a legitimate starter in the league; the reality is that you can’t expect superstars to populate every position, and Ferguson’s contribution reflects a sensible, scalable approach to building a competitive offense.
It’s also worth noting that Ferguson stands as the highest-ranked tight end among the NFC East teams. None of his peers from the division are in the top 10, and Ferguson is the only one from the division among the honorable mentions. Dallas Goedert does appear in the “also receiving votes” category behind the top group (along with Dalton Schultz). This contextualizes Ferguson’s standing within the division and the broader league.
So, is Ferguson fairly ranked? That’s a fair question to explore. Some will argue yes, given his solid production and durability in the run game, while others might wish for a higher ceiling or fewer fumble risks. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle: Ferguson is a valuable, dependable contributor who plays a pivotal role for the Cowboys, even if his name isn’t among the sport’s few elite tight ends. What do you think? Share your take in the comments.