It's not even training camp, but 6 Rams rookies are ready to flip the switch

TE Terrance Ferguson - #18

You may believe that by saving rookie tight end prospect Terrance Ferguson, I'm purposefully saving the best for last. But if you've read the latest article from Bleacher Report's Krisopher Knox, you might expect me to share his wild take that Terrance Ferguson is destined to be the Rams' biggest bust in 2025.

What constitutes 'bust' for a rookie tight end selected in Round 2, anyway? The Washington Commanders selected TE Ben Sinnott in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he caught five of five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in 2024. The Detroit Lions selected TE Sam LaPorta in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he hauled in 86 of 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie season. The Green Bay Packers drafted TE Luke Musgrave in 2023, and he caught 34 of 46 passes for 346 yards and one touchdown.

Finally, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted TE Brenton Strange in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he caught five of nine passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Are they all busts?

No, Ferguson will not wow the NFL with Brock Bowers' rookie-like numbers. But I could envision his 2025 production to fall somewhere between that of Luke Musgrave's 346 receiving yards and Sam LaPorta's 889 receiving yards. The determining factor will come down to how much work and how many targets the Rams are willing to give him in his rookie season.

And therein lies the rub, doesn't it? Let's put this into better perspective. WR Tutu Atwell caught 99 of 164 targets for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns in four NFL seasons. WR Puka Nacua caught 105 of 160 targets for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns in just his rookie season. While Nacua is fundamentally more effective, much of his production lies in the fact that he gets four times the number of targets as Atwell.

It's impossible to gauge how productive rookie TE Terrance Ferguson will be in 2025 without knowing whether the Rams are finally willing to commit to more frequent use of their 12-personnel offensive sub-package. We'd heard Rams HC Sean McVay proclaim two tight ends were back on the menu with the selection of Ferguson, but we harbored hopes before that were dashed on the rocks when the season started.

Still, the Rams are motivated now, perhaps more urgently than ever. 32-year-old veteran TE Tyler Higbee is coming back after a serious ACL injury and is in the final year of his contract. Veteran TE Colby Parkinson is under contract through 2026, but he disappointed last season. And while TE Davis Allen is also under contract through 2026, he has shown better use as a blocking tight end, rather than a receiving tight end.

The Rams hired former OL coach Scott Huff to coach tight ends in 2025. The focus is not about teaching the very productive receiving tight end Terrance Ferguson how to catch passes. The team is simply trying to fast-track his blocking skills to prepare him for a significant role in this offense in 2025. Bust? No way. HC Sean McVay is already taking particular interest in coaching Ferguson.

While the Rams' use of tight ends in 2025 remains a mystery, it's clear that the team intends to commit to giving rookie TE Terrance Ferguson a significant role in contributing this year.

As always, thanks for reading.

Check out other Rams draft articles that you are certain to enjoy