YAC Yuck: Despite career-high TDs, $50M Cowboy struggling to live up

When the Dallas Cowboys aeelcted Jake Ferguson in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the expectations were clear. Looking to replace Dalton Schultz, who was entering a franchise tag season, Ferguson joined the club and initially appeared ready to reward the Cowboys for their vision at the position. By his second season he had emerged as a Pro Bowler and favorite target of quarterback Dak Prescott. However things fell apart in Years 3, and Ferguson was unable to handle the role of Cowboys’ No. 2 weapon as there was no viable threat on the outside opposite CeeDee Lamb.

Playing through an early injury, along with the increased defensive scrutiny led Ferguson to turn in the worst statistical season in NFL history. He was better in 2025, returning to the end zone eight times after being shut out in 2024. However Ferguson struggled to do anything more than what the play was designed to deliver, averaging just 7.3 yards per reception. The fact the Cowboys added All-Pro wideout George Pickens to Lamb, moving coverage away from Ferguson, didn’t improve his output.

The Cowboys gave Ferguson an extension prior to the season, him falling into their “pay him when he’s down” bucket of how they approach in-house contract scenarios. The deal, four years for $50 million, had two years worth of guaranteed money in it, giving him through the 2026 campaign to convince the coaching staff he’s more than just quarterback Dak Prescott‘s best friend, but also an above average tight end who pushe a talented offense forward.

High School: Phillips Memorial (WI)

College: Wisconsin (Highlight Video)

Draft: 2022 Fourth round, No. 129 overall

Contract: Four-year deal (2025), $50 million

2026 Salary: $8 million, $7.25 million base is guaranteed, $750k in roster bonuses

Career Earnings: $16.7 million (per Over The Cap)

Ferguson ranked a disgustingly low No. 42 among tight ends in DYAR with a -80. The advanced metric basically says that the average tight end would’ve gained 80 more yards than Ferguson if they were on the field in the exact same plays that Ferguson participated in. For someone with 102 targets, that’s a pretty damning assessment a year after putting up a season’s worth of putrid stats.

The Cowboys are not going to be a franchise that continuously invests top assets into the position. They wasted a second-round pick on Luke Schoonmaker in 2023, reaping no benefits and likely leading to them securing Ferguson for 2025 and 2026. Since that pick, they’ve tried to backfill the depth chart with UDFAs. Brevyn Spann-Ford is a top blocker but offers little as a pass catcher through two seasons. This year, they added intriguing pass catcher Michael Trigg, who has many other hurdles before becoming a trusted member of an offense.

Ferguson will have the 2026 season to prove he can hit the upside that was projected early in his career as the Cowboys have morphed into a team that only looks at the position as Prescott’s security blanket.

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