Travis Kelce leads the Kansas City Chiefs in receptions and receiving yards, but his age and athletic decline could lead to his retirement in the near future. Noah Gray continues to impress in his expanded role, but the Chiefs need to add depth to their tight end room as they prepare for a major offensive transition.
Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson quickly releases from the line of scrimmage and reaches an impressive top speed. He overtakes and stacks linebackers and some safeties on vertical routes. Defenses must respect Ferguson’s ability to stretch them up the seam. He generates an athletic mismatch against most linebackers in man coverage.
Ferguson sometimes sprints through his routes, which limits his route definition and makes life easier for defenders. When he slows down and focuses on his footwork, he executes sharp cuts at the top of the stem to generate separation. Ferguson also bumps smaller defenders to create space with his physicality.
Ferguson needs to improve the crispness of his short routes. He doesn’t generate much separation against man coverage in the quick game on routes breaking toward the sideline. Contact early in the route throws his timing off. Adding more muscle to play through these jams will increase his effectiveness.
Ferguson is a significant threat with the ball in his hands. His speed helps him gash defenses in space, and he drives his legs through contact for extra yardage. Ferguson sets up his blockers well on schemed touches.
Ferguson takes inconsistent angles on blocks and lacks elite power. He needs to tighten his hand placement to sustain blocks. Ferguson is a competitive blocker who does his best work displacing defensive backs on the perimeter. He angles his body well to shield the ball carrier.
Ferguson projects as a top 100 selection. He and the Ducks play in the second round of the College Football Playoff on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 4:00 p.m. CST.
