After a season where the Dallas Cowboys’ offense was without Dak Prescott for half the games, the passing game struggled significantly. With Prescott expected to return healthy, the question emerges whether tight end Jake Ferguson stands out as a valuable late-round choice for fantasy football managers targeting the Cowboys in 2025. Ferguson’s role as the primary tight end and his potential in a more stable passing attack make him worth examining.
Reviewing Ferguson’s Performance and Production Thresholds
In 2023, Ferguson stepped into the lead tight end role following Dalton Schultz’s departure. Fantasy players took a chance on him late in drafts, and he rewarded them with solid production, averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game and finishing as the 10th best tight end overall. Generally, 10 PPG is seen as the minimum for a TE1-level performance in fantasy football, often considered a replacement-level benchmark. Players hitting around this mark are typically found in later rounds or via weekly streaming options; paying a premium for such output is not advisable.
Even with the Cowboys lacking a dependable target behind CeeDee Lamb, including using aging Brandin Cooks as the second receiver, the offense should be capable enough to support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers. Prescott’s presence allows for three credible options, an encouraging factor for Ferguson’s opportunity to improve on his production.
How Dak Prescott’s Availability Influences Ferguson’s Fantasy Value
Ferguson’s 2023 stats illustrated the critical impact of Prescott on his performance. In games with Prescott, Ferguson averaged a respectable 10.2 points per game, but that number dropped sharply to 5.3 points per game in Prescott’s absence. Over roughly two full seasons as the Cowboys’ primary tight end with Prescott on the field, Ferguson’s averages barely exceeded the 10 PPG threshold, signaling a steady yet unspectacular level of production.
This data positions Ferguson as a dependable but not elite fantasy option, one who delivers consistent back-end TE1 numbers but does not move the needle dramatically. With nine tight ends last season clustered between 8.9 and 11.1 PPG, the position featured little differentiation beyond those currently recognized as true difference-makers.
Draft Position and Usage Patterns Indicate Bargain Potential
Despite his steady fantasy output, Ferguson’s average draft position (ADP) hovers around the 15th tight end taken, which is behind players like Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews who themselves posted replacement-level stats last year. He even ranks behind Dalton Kincaid, whose 2023 season was largely disappointing. This suggests a possible undervaluation in drafts.
Examining Ferguson’s route participation and target share further supports his role in the offense. Last year, he commanded a 16.9% target share and was targeted on nearly 28% of routes he ran, reflecting solid usage. The main limitation was the quarterback play during Prescott’s absence, where backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance handled the passing duties.
Going forward with Prescott healthy, Ferguson appears poised to outperform his draft cost. While he likely won’t serve as a game-changing asset, the Cowboys’ offensive strength creates opportunities for touchdown upside. Managers can secure steady TE1 production at a more affordable draft price, which enhances his value as a late-round or bench stash.
Personally, Ferguson ranks as the 14th best tight end in my rankings, making him my preferred late-round target at the position this upcoming season.
Expert Projection from Frank Ammirante on Ferguson
Analyst Frank Ammirante highlights Ferguson as a compelling late-round tight end option. Just one year removed from a 71-catch, 761-yard, and five-touchdown campaign, Ferguson ranks as the third option in what should be one of the league’s busiest passing offenses. This combination positions him as a steal relative to cost.
Ammirante recommends considering Ferguson primarily within a Cowboys stack for Best Ball leagues, where pairing him with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, or George Pickens creates synergy. In standard redraft formats, Ferguson is best suited for deeper leagues where roster flexibility allows for multiple tight ends. Complementing Ferguson with an affordable, experienced tight end like Dallas Goedert is a sensible strategy.
Even while advising tempered expectations, Ammirante notes that replicating Ferguson’s 2023 numbers would satisfy most fantasy managers relying on his production.
What Fantasy Managers Should Expect in 2025
Jake Ferguson presents as a consistent, reliable option at tight end who offers reasonable value, especially in later rounds, given his projected role in the Cowboys’ offense with Prescott back under center. While not a standout star, his target share and touchdown potential in a strong passing system suggest he can deliver dependable fantasy points without requiring managers to spend early picks or roster spots on tight end.
For those looking to build stacks around Dallas’s notable skill players or to find affordable, steady tight end production, Ferguson’s profile fits well. His ability to maintain replacement-level TE1 production at a discount makes him a prudent risk heading into the 2025 fantasy football season.