Tight End · Dallas Cowboys
Jake Ferguson — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · Ferguson plays in a high-volume passing option (2024 – 637 and 2025 – 624), creating 398 and 419 completions.
- · He gained only 7.8 yards per catch over the past two years, which falls more in line with running backs (7.4 in 2025 ~ tight ends – 10.1).
- · From Week 2 to Week 7, Ferguson had an active role in the Cowboys’ passing game (46/311/6 on 52 targets), leading to him averaging 18.85 PPR fantasy points per game.
- · Despite his early success, Ferguson crushed fantasy teams across his final 10 starts (31/266/2 – 6.97 FPPG).
- · He ranks 9th (177.10) and 4th (190.10) at tight end fantasy points in 2023 and 2025.
Question marks
- · Only a safety value option for Dak Prescott, with Dallas relying heavily on their top two wideouts to move the ball.
- · No touchdowns in 2024 over 14 games.
- · In his best two years, Ferguson averaged six targets per game.
Shawn's conclusion
When drafting fantasy teams, the best success comes with the least number of lineup decisions. Ferguson’s great start in 2025 made it challenging to bench him until his gains were given away late in the year. He comes off eight scores, but the Cowboys must feature him deeper in the passing game to become a more complete fantasy team. His peaks and valleys point to a challenging tight end to manage again in 2026. Viable TE2, with a chance to surprise.
More on Ferguson
Ferguson wrapped up four seasons at Wisconsin with 145 catches for 1,618 yards and 13 touchdowns on 207 targets, with his most productive campaign coming in 2021 (46/450/3). Dallas invested a fourth-round pick in him in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He eased into the league in a TE2 role as a rookie, finishing with 19 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns, with only one week qualifying as a fantasy-relevant outing (4/40/1).
The departure of Dalton Schultz in 2023 opened the door, and Ferguson walked right through it. Stepping into the lead tight end role, he caught 71 of 102 targets (69.6%) for 761 yards and five touchdowns. He delivered six or more catches in six games (7/77, 7/91/1, 6/77/1, 6/44, 6/69, and 10/93/3, the last coming in the playoffs) and was nearly unstoppable at home, where he scored seven of his eight touchdowns. The breakout season landed him ninth among tight ends in PPR scoring at 151.50 points.
Knee and concussion issues sidelined him for three games in 2024, and he logged three catches or fewer in seven of his 14 starts. His yards-per-catch dipped from 10.7 to 8.4, reflecting a less explosive role. Bright spots were few but present, with four steady showings carrying his fantasy value (6/95, 7/49, 6/70, 7/71).
Fantasy team rode Ferguson up the standings over his first seven games (5/23, 9/78, 13/82, 7/40/1, 7/49/2, 3/33/1, and 7/29/1), thanks to him averaging 17.20 PPR fantasy points over this span. On the downside, he gained only 6.5 yards per catch, with one of his first 51 catches gaining 20 yards. After the Broncos shut him out in Week 8 on one target, his value almost diminished by the week over his final nine starts (31/266/2 on 43 targets – 7.44 FPPG).
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