The Rams are changing how they want to look on offense, and Terrance Ferguson sits right in the middle of that shift.
As Los Angeles leans into heavier tight end usage, Ferguson could be one of the biggest winners. The second-year tight end didn’t pile up volume as a rookie - he caught just 11 passes - but the flashes were real, and the team’s new approach seems built to put those traits on display more often.
At 6’5, 252 pounds, Ferguson gives the Rams a rare problem for defenses. He’s big enough to stress defensive backs and fast enough - with a 4.63 time - to move like a wide receiver.
That combination matters even more when the Rams use more 12 and 13 personnel, because it can force defenses into their base packages. If they stay in that look, Ferguson has a clear edge against most linebackers.
If they go lighter, the Rams can try to punish that choice in the run game with their offensive line.
That’s the kind of matchup tug-of-war the Rams want to create in 2026.
The buzz around Ferguson has only grown this offseason. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer listed him as a player to watch after spending time at Rams training camp, and his report was glowing.
“Terrance Ferguson has had a fantastic offseason,” wrote Breer. “He is now proving to be a guy who can play all over the formation and looks like he could be a force after the catch, showing why the Rams coveted him in the 2025 draft and now believe he could grow into one of the NFL’s best tight ends.”
There’s also some actual production behind the optimism, even if the sample is tiny. Ferguson generated 20.6 total EPA on those 11 catches last season, with 1.9 EPA per reception - twice as much as Trey McBride and higher than fellow rookie Colston Loveland. He also led all tight ends with 13 deep targets, and two of his three touchdowns came on those plays.
The number of touches was limited, but the upside popped whenever the ball found him.
This offseason has looked different for Ferguson, too. A year ago at this time, he was dealing with a groin injury.
This summer, he’s been healthy through training camp and building chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford. With a full year in the offense, he should also feel more comfortable.
That kind of second-year jump has shown up before in Sean McVay’s offense. Outside of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, young pass catchers often take a step forward in year two.
Gerald Everett went from 16 catches as a rookie to more than that in his second season. Josh Reynolds had 11 receptions in 2017, then followed with 29 catches for 402 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Van Jefferson offers another clear example: after 19 receptions for 220 yards as a rookie, he broke out in year two with 50 catches for 802 yards and became the team’s top deep threat.
Ferguson’s leap doesn’t have to match that exact production to matter. But the Rams clearly believe the path is there, especially with more 13 personnel on the way and more chances to feature him in the passing game.
For now, the early signs point in one direction: the Rams think Ferguson is just getting started.
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Simpson is still being brought along at a slower pace, which is a sign the Rams are thinking long-term with the rookie instead of forcing him into a role before he is ready. For a team that has lived through the importance of quarterback depth, the current setup suggests McVay trusts Bennett to handle the No. 2 job while Simpson continues his development away from the pressure of an immediate push. [Read more 🡒]