Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson’s dynasty value is much higher now than a year ago following his breakout 2023 season. How should fantasy football managers handle him heading into the 2024 offseason?
Jake Ferguson’s Dynasty Outlook
Ferguson’s 2023 season is a great example of how important opportunity can be. Had Dalton Schultz not left the Cowboys, it’s possible Ferguson would never have even gotten a chance.
Jake Ferguson goes up and gets it 😮💨#DallasCowboys
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 14, 2024
Instead, Schultz signed with the Houston Texans, and the Cowboys didn’t get a chance to draft any of the top tight ends. That left Ferguson, who barely played as a rookie, as the presumptive TE1.
Ferguson entered the 2023 season with zero expectations. He was a late-round dart throw on the basis that the Cowboys’ prolific offense turned Schultz into a TE1 — so Ferguson has as good of a shot as anyone.
Ferguson’s athletic measurables are wholly unimpressive. However, that is in stark contrast to what he looks like on the field. Ferguson is a defensive mismatch. He’s a massive target at 6’5″, 250 pounds, and way more athletic than his below-average speed and burst scores would suggest.
In his breakout 2023 season, Ferguson only commanded a 16.9% target share. It makes his 10.4 fantasy points per game all the more impressive.
With the Cowboys lacking a true second option in the passing game behind CeeDee Lamb, there’s definitely a world where Ferguson continues to improve and is able to crack a 20% target share in 2024.
In fantasy, most tight ends are touchdown-or-bust. Seldom few at the position are able to post TE1 numbers without scoring. However, Ferguson was able to finish as a TE1 five out of his total 10 times without scoring.
Additionally, Ferguson’s 25 red-zone targets led the NFL. Playing in a pass-heavy offense that scores a ton of points, it’s advantageous to be one of the team’s primary red zone options. If the trend continues, Ferguson has room to improve upon his mere five touchdowns in 2023.
Ferguson’s Dynasty Ranking
Where does Ferguson land in the dynasty TE landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Jason Katz’s latest rankings, featuring where Ferguson lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Sam LaPorta | DET
2) Trey McBride | ARI
3) Mark Andrews | BAL
4) T.J. Hockenson | MIN
5) Dalton Kincaid | BUF
6) Travis Kelce | KC
7) George Kittle | SF
8) David Njoku | CLE
9) Evan Engram | JAX
10) Jake Ferguson | DAL
11) Dallas Goedert | PHI
12) Kyle Pitts | ATL
13) Cole Kmet | CHI
14) Pat Freiermuth | PIT
15) Isaiah Likely | BAL
16) Michael Mayer | LV
17) Tucker Kraft | GB
18) Dalton Schultz | HOU
19) Luke Musgrave | GB
20) Darren Waller | NYG
21) Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN
22) Cade Otton | TB
23) Hunter Henry | NE
24) Juwan Johnson | NO
25) Gerald Everett | LAC
Should You Trade Ferguson in Dynasty?
Are you considering trading Ferguson? Our free PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trade offer to make in seconds!
Ferguson is a former fourth-round pick. While I don’t like to put too much stock into draft capital once a player establishes himself at the NFL level, Ferguson is still just entering his third season.
With that said, Ferguson is only 25 years old. Tight ends almost never peak in their first few seasons. It is very likely his best years are still ahead of him, both for the Cowboys and for fantasy.
MORE: Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategies
Ferguson is unlikely to ever become a true difference-maker at the position. However, seldom few are. Even the current dynasty TE1, Sam LaPorta, will need to progress to really matter in the way Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski did during their primes.
If you have Ferguson, there’s no reason to get complacent. There are upgrades out there. At the same time, you do have a dynasty TE1. Don’t trade Ferguson unless you’re getting a better one in return.
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