The Los Angeles Rams may have made one of the savviest picks in the 2025 NFL Draft when they selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson at No. 46 overall. While the league focused on flashy offensive prospects, the Rams made a more subtle bet — on a scheme change, a tight end with a versatile skill set, and a future beyond Tyler Higbee. If head coach Sean McVay follows through on the structural changes he’s been slowly introducing, Ferguson is set up for a major rookie campaign.
McVay’s Offense at a Turning Point
For years, the Rams have been known for their nearly 100 percent reliance on 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one running back, one tight end), which they used on a staggering 82% of plays last season. But signs of evolution have emerged.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, who labeled Ferguson as the team’s breakout candidate in a recent column, the Rams ran 12 personnel (two tight ends) on 15.5% of offensive plays from Weeks 15 through 18 in 2024 — a significant jump from just 5% in 2023. Rodrigue also noted that the return of Tyler Higbee from injury during that stretch allowed McVay to experiment with multiple tight end sets more consistently. And importantly, McVay himself has “reiterated his hope for his offense to be more multiple in 2025,” as Rodrigue reported.
With Cooper Kupp now in Seattle and the team’s wide receiver room in transition, that long-hinted shift to a more diverse formation structure appears imminent — and Ferguson stands to benefit most.
An Open Lane to Immediate Impact With Los Angeles Rams
Terrance Ferguson walks into a rare opportunity: meaningful snaps in a tight end-friendly system with minimal competition beyond a veteran returning from major injury.
Daniel Kelley of FTN recently predicted that Ferguson will finish the season as the NFL’s most productive rookie tight end, citing his clean path to early playing time: “He only has to jump Tyler Higbee in an offense that throws a lot but lacks much pass-catching depth.”
ESPN’s Ben Solak went further, projecting Ferguson will take over as the starter by Week 5 and finish with 63 catches, 821 yards, and six touchdowns — second on the team behind Puka Nacua. That’s Offensive Rookie of the Year-level production.
A Natural Fit in McVay’s Evolving Scheme
Ferguson isn’t just the right player at the right time — he’s also the right fit. A cerebral, athletic pass-catcher with a nose for open space, Ferguson tallied 134 receptions for 1,537 yards and 16 touchdowns over four seasons at Oregon. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has praised Ferguson’s “calm, swaggy demeanor” and willingness to embrace technique and toughness.
McVay, too, is intrigued as he told “Voice of the Rams” J.B. Long that Ferguson is “on the right track” to contributing early — as long as he earns his role. The parallels to Puka Nacua’s 2023 emergence are impossible to ignore.
Betting Big on Potential
The Rams’ front office didn’t spend their top draft asset lightly. GM Les Snead has emphasized Ferguson’s work ethic, saying he “gives more effort than the next guy.” Rob Rang of FOX Sports compared him to former Ram Ernie Conwell — a balanced tight end who thrived doing the dirty work and moving the chains.
If McVay fully leans into the 12 personnel identity he’s been flirting with — something Rodrigue has tracked closely over the last two seasons — Ferguson could deliver one of the most impactful rookie campaigns in franchise history. And perhaps, at long last, the Rams might produce their first Pro Bowl tight end.
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