Struggling Jake Ferguson keeps dropping the ball for the Cowboys

Because entering the beginning function in 2023, tight end Jake Ferguson has actually sealed himself as a crucial element of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense. His fast development enabled the group to shift far from Dalton Schultz to Ferguson at a much lower rate. The young tight end rapidly made the trust of Dak Prescott, developing himself as a trusted security valve and a lively source of energy for the offense.

Through his very first 4 years in the league, he created 2 Pro Bowl seasons as he discovered methods to discover soft areas in protection and maximize every reception with excellent strength and the periodic difficulty of protectors. Having a seam-stretching tight end who commanded attention assisted make a vibrant Cowboys offense a lot more vibrant. Fans liked him.

Last July, Ferguson signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the group, putting him under group control through the 2029 season. While his athleticism and locker space energy made him a guy the group wished to hang on to, a pattern of expensive errors is beginning to raise concerns about his general consistency and long-lasting efficiency.

In previous seasons, the veteran tight end has actually revealed excellent hands, making objected to catches look uncomplicated, however just recently his focus has actually fluctuated at defining moments. Through 5 video games this year, he has a drop rate of 9.5%, which is a high portion for a gamer targeted on short-to-intermediate paths. Certainly, the most terrible example began Thursday night when the ball was tossed right at his grill. Not just did he not protect the catch, however the ball deflected off his face and remained in the air permanently till a Buccaneers protector might securely get under it. A possible return drive developed into a pricey game-ending error.

A lot more disconcerting than the routine drop is Ferguson’s continuous fight with ball security after the catch. Over the last 3 years, he’s put the ball on the grass an incredible 8 times, leading all tight ends because period. That’s a rate of as soon as every 19.6 times he touches the ball. For point of view, that resembles a running back who touches the ball 20 times a video game who fumbles as soon as every video game. That’s godawful.

His fumbling concerns have actually triggered opposing protective planners to freely confess to pursuing him. Ferguson has a bad practice of carrying on far from his frame, making him susceptible to aggressive protectors who intentionally swipe at the ball. And it’s worked. He had an expensive fumble on a shovel pass versus the Baltimore Ravens a number of weeks ago that removed an appealing scoring drive. We can argue up until we are blue in the face about whether that needs to’ve been ruled insufficient, however in any case, Ferguson isn’t doing an excellent task protecting the ball.

These things are hazardous to the group, however some may be going to offer him a little leniency if he were a strong blocker. He’s not. His chip blocks are inadequate, and he consistently misses his obstructing tasks in the running video game. There are a growing number of circumstances of Ferguson being discarded as a blocker. It’s bad.

The Cowboys invested a second-round choice in Luke Schoonmaker in 2023, however he has actually not exercised as prepared. The group reupped on Ferguson, however now, unexpectedly, he has actually developed a bit of issue. The front workplace likewise sensibly extended Brevyn Spann-Ford, who is the group’s gritty blocker and unique groups factor, however one can’t assist questioning if we might see a modification in duties as the season progresses. If Ferguson can’t tidy up a few of his issues and begin being more of a net favorable than a liability, the Cowboys may have some difficult choices ahead.