Rams Rookie Watch: Terrance Ferguson

The Los Angeles Rams made waves by trading out of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft and selecting Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson with the 46th overall pick. A move that signaled their intent to bolster their TE room game with a versatile, athletic weapon. Ferguson, a 6-foot-5, 247-pound pass-catching specialist, is generating significant buzz for his potential to eventually replace Tyler Higbee as the Rams’ starting tight end. Ferguson’s blend of size, speed, and college production makes him a player to watch. Let’s examine what Ferguson brings to the Rams, his strengths and weaknesses, highlights from social media, and his projected role in the 2025 NFL season.

What Terrance Ferguson Brings to the Rams

Ferguson arrives in Los Angeles as a highly touted prospect who fits seamlessly into McVay’s offensive scheme, which thrives on exploiting mismatches and stretching defenses vertically. With Tyler Higbee’s age, injury, and expiring contract, the Rams were wise to select his potential replacement now. After trading out of the first round with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams secured a 2026 first-round pick and still landed Ferguson, a player they reportedly considered taking at No. 26.

Ferguson’s college career at Oregon showcased his ability to be a reliable target in the passing game. He holds the Ducks’ program records for career receptions (134) and receiving touchdowns (16) by a tight end, culminating in a 2024 season where he recorded 43 receptions for 591 yards and three touchdowns. His versatility to line up in-line, as an H-back, or flexed out in the slot (42% of his 2024 snaps were in the slot) makes him an alignment-fluid piece who can exploit zone coverages and create yards after the catch.

For the Rams, Ferguson’s addition signals a potential shift toward more 12 personnel (two tight end) sets, a formation McVay used effectively earlier in his career. With veteran tight end Tyler Higbee aging and coming off a knee injury, Ferguson is viewed as both a complementary piece and a possible long-term successor. General manager Les Snead and McVay have expressed excitement about Ferguson’s ability to enhance the offense’s efficiency, particularly in the red zone, where the Rams ranked fourth in EPA per pass out of 12 personnel in 2024.

Strengths

Ferguson’s skill set is tailor-made for the modern NFL, where tight ends are expected to be hybrid players capable of impacting both the passing and running games. His key strengths include:

Athleticism and Speed: At the 2025 NFL Combine, Ferguson led all tight ends with a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump, and a 1.55-second 10-yard split, earning a 9.32 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), ranking 92nd out of 1,338 tight ends since 1987. His long-striding, build-up speed allows him to attack defenses vertically, making him a threat down the seam for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Pass-Catching Prowess: Ferguson is a natural hands-catcher with strong, reliable hands, capable of plucking the ball away from his frame. His 9.0 yards after catch per reception in 2024 led all tight ends in the draft class, and he forced 30 missed tackles over his college career, showcasing his ability to break tackles and generate explosive plays.
Red-Zone Threat: With his 6-foot-5 frame and 39-inch vertical, Ferguson is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. His height, wingspan, and athleticism make him a viable target for contested catches, though he has room to improve in this area.
Route-Running Fluidity: While not a polished route-runner, Ferguson’s functional route-running and ability to find holes in zone coverages make him effective in quick-passing and West Coast offenses. He excels on play-action and run-pass option (RPO) plays, settling into open voids quickly.
Scheme Fit: Ferguson’s play style draws comparisons to elite tight ends like Travis Kelce and Chris Cooley, as noted by McVay. His ability to change speeds instantly and operate as a “move tight end” aligns with the Rams’ offensive philosophy, which borrows elements from Oregon’s system.

Weaknesses

While Ferguson’s upside is undeniable, he is not a finished product and has areas to refine to become an every-down tight end in the NFL. His primary weaknesses include:

Blocking Deficiencies: Ferguson’s blocking is a work in progress. He lacks the play strength and technique to consistently handle defensive ends in-line, often overextending and surrendering leverage. His size suggests potential, but he needs coaching to improve his consistency and physicality at the point of attack.
Limited Route Tree: At Oregon, Ferguson ran a simplified route tree, and his breaks lack sharpness. He struggles to create separation against physical coverage at the line of scrimmage, which could be a challenge against NFL defenders.
Contested-Catch Inconsistency: Despite his size, Ferguson did not excel at contested catches in 2024, which is surprising given his physical tools. Improving his aggression at the catch point will be critical to maximizing his red-zone potential.
Change-of-Direction Limitations: While Ferguson has great straight-line speed, his short-area quickness and ability to make defenders miss in open space are average. He tends to go down on first contact, limiting his elusiveness after the catch.
Drops Concern: Ferguson had four drops in 2024, placing him in the lower half of tight ends in drop rate. However, NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay has argued that three of these were difficult or “bang-bang” plays, suggesting the issue may be overstated.

Highlights on the X Platform

The X platform has been abuzz with excitement about Ferguson’s selection, with fans, analysts, and former players weighing in on his potential. Here are some notable posts:

@RamsBrothers (April 25, 2025): Highlighted Ferguson’s physical attributes and role, noting his 6’5, 247-pound frame, 4.63 40-yard dash, and physical route-running. They emphasized his red-zone potential and willingness to “get his face dirty” as a run-blocker, with 42% of his 2024 snaps in the slot.
@RamsBrothers (April 25, 2025): Shared a detailed report calling Ferguson “big and mean,” praising his athleticism and fit in McVay’s offense.
@LAFBNetwork (May 13, 2025): Quoted former NFL tight end Greg Olsen praising Ferguson as a “win of a lifetime” for the Rams, even if they had taken him in the first round. Olsen highlighted his versatility and reliability, calling him a perfect fit for McVay’s system.
@SalVetriDFS (May 2, 2025): Hyped Ferguson as a potential breakout rookie, noting the Rams’ high valuation (nearly taking him in Round 1) and his opportunity to shine in a tight end room with only Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen ahead of him.

These posts reflect a growing sentiment that Ferguson could be a steal for the Rams, with his athletic profile and college production fueling optimism about his immediate impact.

Projection for the 2025 NFL Season

Ferguson’s role in the 2025 season will hinge on how quickly he adapts to McVay’s complex offense and improves his blocking. The Rams’ early schedule, featuring tough opponents such as the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens, offers a “rare window” for Ferguson to prove himself, especially as the team looks to get more physical.

Role and Playing Time: Initially, Ferguson is projected as the TE2 behind Higbee, with Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder boldly predicting he could overtake Higbee as the starter by season’s end due to Higbee’s age (32), contract year, and lingering injury concerns. The Rams are likely to remain primarily in 11 personnel (one tight end), but an increase in 12 personnel sets could see Ferguson taking 25-30% of offensive snaps, similar to rookie Gerald Everett’s 28.8% in 2017. His ability to pick up the offense’s nuances will determine whether he becomes a regular fixture or remains a situational player.

Statistical Projection: As a rookie, Ferguson is unlikely to post gaudy numbers given the Rams’ crowded receiving corps, but he could carve out a meaningful role. A reasonable projection is 30-40 receptions, 400-500 yards, and 3-5 touchdowns, with a heavy emphasis on red-zone and play-action targets. His yards-after-catch ability (9.0 YAC per reception in college) could lead to a few explosive plays.

Impact Areas: Ferguson’s immediate impact will likely come in the red zone and on intermediate routes. His athleticism makes him a matchup problem for linebackers and safeties, and Stafford’s precision could exploit Ferguson’s ability to find soft spots in zones. If he improves his blocking, he could see more snaps in run-heavy packages, supporting running back Kyren Williams.

Long-Term Outlook: Ferguson is seen as Higbee’s heir apparent, with the potential to become a TE1 by 2026. His development as a blocker and route-runner will determine whether he evolves into a true every-down tight end or remains a pass-catching specialist. Analysts like Ted Nguyen praise his scheme fit, noting that few teams match prospects to their system as well as the Rams.

Challenges: Ferguson must overcome his blocking deficiencies and refine his route-running to earn McVay’s trust. The Rams’ deep offensive roster means he’ll need to compete for targets, and any struggles adapting to the NFL’s speed could delay his ascent. Additionally, Higbee’s experience and familiarity with the offense may keep Ferguson in a secondary role longer than anticipated.

Optimistic Scenario: If Ferguson quickly grasps the offense and improves his contested-catch ability, he could emulate Sam LaPorta’s rookie impact with the Detroit Lions, becoming a reliable No. 3 option behind Nacua and Adams. Comparisons to Travis Kelce by Steve Smith Sr. and Greg Olsen suggest a high ceiling if he maximizes his athletic gifts.

Terrance Ferguson Oregon Highlights

Final Thoughts

Terrance Ferguson is one of the most intriguing rookies on the Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 roster, bringing a rare combination of size, speed, and pass-catching ability to an already explosive offense. His strengths as an athletic, red-zone threat and reliable target make him a perfect fit for McVay’s system, while his weaknesses in blocking and route-running highlight areas for growth. Highlights on X underscore the excitement surrounding his potential, with analysts and former players praising his versatility and upside. For the 2025 season, Ferguson is poised to make an immediate impact as a rotational tight end, with the opportunity to seize a larger role if he capitalizes on early opportunities and develops quickly. As the Rams aim for a Super Bowl run, Ferguson could be the X-factor that unlocks new dimensions in their offense, making him a rookie to watch closely.