After missing the first two preseason games with a groin injury, rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson made an immediate impression in his debut for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. Playing only the first half, Ferguson showcased the explosiveness and versatility that made him a second-round pick out of Oregon, catching two passes for 48 yards, including a 33-yard slot fade where he beat man coverage with ease.
Los Angeles Rams On Terrance Ferguson
Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Ferguson’s debut while offering constructive insight into areas for growth.
“It was good. I thought he did a really nice job,” McVay said. “He did a good job in the run game. I think he can finish a little bit better on some of those things and he knows that. We talked about it. I have a lot of confidence in him not to just be a receiving tight end, but a complete tight end.
“In the receiving stuff, I thought it was cool. He ended up winning on the slot fade where we just missed him. Then came back to it and ended up hitting him on that, the little bootleg where he gets a good run after the catch. He has a good feel and good tempo to his game. I thought he did well.”
Ferguson’s ability as a receiver was evident both at Oregon and in Saturday’s game. He displayed smooth route running, reliable hands, and elusiveness after the catch, traits McVay believes will allow Ferguson to develop into a three-down tight end similar to Tyler Higbee. While Ferguson has room to grow as a blocker, his early work suggests he could eventually provide the Rams with a complete offensive weapon. But in this game he was graded a 45.8 as a run blocker by Pro Football Focus, the second-worst run blocking grade on the team for the game.
“I felt great out there,” Ferguson said after the game. “Everyone’s done a great job of just making sure that I’m healthy and where I need to be. It was a good play they called up for me. I knew my number and Dresser [Winn] was gonna come to me, so it’s a big thing for me to have that first catch, stretch the field a little bit, showcase vertical speed.”
Ferguson’s presence creates matchup problems for defenses. At 6-foot-5 with both speed and agility, he can challenge defensive backs or linebackers in ways that allow McVay to move him all over the field. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur highlighted the importance of live reps in Ferguson’s development.
“Being a rookie, he was stringing together some really good days,” LaFleur said. “It dates back to May and June with OTAs and up until his injury. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t been able to play tackle football yet. I think that’ll just be it. He’ll get himself healthy enough where he can just go play after play, stack some plays together and stack some series together where he can get his feet underneath him.”
While Ferguson is not yet in line to surpass Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson or Davis Allen on the depth chart, his debut offered a glimpse of the talent that could make him the future cornerstone of the Rams’ tight end room. Ferguson is already showing the combination of size, speed, and hands that can elevate the Rams’ passing game, and with experience, he could develop into an All-Pro-level player by the end of his rookie contract.
For now, the Rams have a promising new weapon at tight end, one capable of influencing games immediately while continuing to grow into a complete offensive threat. Saturday’s performance was only the beginning of what could become a dynamic NFL career for Terrance Ferguson.
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