Terrance Ferguson has rare window to prove himself early in Rams' 2025 schedule

McVay does know how to use tight ends

While Rams fans have not seen much in the way of tight end usage in HC Sean McVay's offense, there was a time when McVay mastered the position. When he served as the offensive coordinator for the Washington football team in 2014 through 2016, he coached several memorable tight ends, including TE Niles Paul (converted from WR), Jordan Reed, and Vernon Davis.

Unlike many tight ends at the time who were merely offensive linemen who could catch the occasional pass, Washington's offense boasted tight ends whose primary role was catching passes, with a secondary function of blocking. That is the type of tight end that rookie Terrance Ferguson projects to become in his rookie season if the Rams give him a significant role.

If the Rams are good for their offseason word, then the Rams will likely turn to a significantly heavier dose of 12-personnel in 2025. When the team deployed even a smattering of two tight ends, the team found success last season. But the problem was that without veteran Tyler Higbee, the Rams' passing attack suffered as all three tight ends on the roster were built to block, not to catch passes.

But everything written about Terrance Ferguson screams pass-catcher.

Some NFL draft analysts have even gone so far as to consider Ferguson as a Cooper Kupp replacement, only bigger and stronger than Kupp. While I'm not bold enough to make those assertions, it's an intriguing perspective to keep on the radar screen. It would explain why the Rams were content to select Terrance Ferguson, despite other noteworthy tight ends still sitting on the draft board.

Of course, changes have to happen in the Rams' offensive strategy first. But that triggers the chicken vs. the egg paradox. What I mean is that will Terrance Ferguson's innate talent compel the Rams to change their reluctance to work tight ends more often in this offense? Or will the Rams need to open the door for Terrance Ferguson for him to prove worthy of a significant role in the offense this season?