Jake Ferguson can be used as evidence that there is some value in watching the preseason games. Entering camp, it was up in the air whether Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker or maybe even Peyton Hendershot would be the most productive tight end for the Cowboys.
The preseason games made it seem clear (to me at least) that Ferguson would be their No. 1 guy. He came out with their first-unit offense for their preseason opener, and they immediately went to him for 3 quick completions – as if confirming to themselves that he was going to be one of their core guys.
That made Ferguson a key player in August. I saw some ADP lists indicating he wouldn’t even be drafted in a typical 12-team league, but it was clear he had the potential to be a top-10 player at the position.
Ferguson for the most part has come through, catching 46 passes and 5 TDs in 12 games.
Grading him for dynasty purposes, on the other hand, gets tricky. Schoonmaker (a second-round pick) is still around, and he’s made it on the field regularly in his first season, typically catching about a pass per game. So it’s possible that in 2024 or 2025, Schoonmaker evolves into the better player.
Thinking out loud, Ferguson’s contract runs through 2025. At that time, he might merit a contract extension, with the Cowboys opting to shift to Schoonmaker. They went that route with Dalton Schultz. Or Dallas could use more formations with multiple tight ends next year.
If I were walking into a dynasty league draft today, I would be leery of going after Ferguson too early, worrying that he might not have long fantasy shelf life. He’s better than Kyle Pitts right now, for example, but I think I’d rather have 2026 Pitts rather than 2026 Ferguson.
My updated dynasty tight end rankings (and these are done off gut feel) appear below. I’m operating under the assumption that we’re in a 12-team league, with PPR scoring and teams holding the rights to player indefinitely. I’m thinking teams would be picking about three tight ends each, with the third guy perhaps a player who’s more of a project than somebody who needs to start games right now.
Rookies are tagged with black dots.
I turn my attention to dynasty leagues each Saturday, rotating between the four notable positions. For the most recent rankings at other positions, use the “past issues” navigation box.
Last week: Wide receivers
Next week: Quarterbacks
| DYNASTY TIGHT ENDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Tm | Player | Age |
| 1. | DET | • Sam LaPorta | 22.9 |
| 2. | MIN | T.J. Hockenson | 26.4 |
| 3. | BUF | • Dalton Kincaid | 24.1 |
| 4. | BAL | Mark Andrews | 28.2 |
| 5. | KC | Travis Kelce | 34.2 |
| 6. | ARI | Trey McBride | 24.0 |
| 7. | CHI | Cole Kmet | 24.7 |
| 8. | CLE | David Njoku | 27.4 |
| 9. | ATL | Kyle Pitts | 23.2 |
| 10. | PIT | Pat Freiermuth | 25.1 |
| 11. | JAC | Evan Engram | 29.2 |
| 12. | PHI | Dallas Goedert | 28.9 |
| 13. | SF | George Kittle | 30.1 |
| 14. | DAL | Jake Ferguson | 24.9 |
| 15. | GB | • Luke Musgrave | 23.2 |
| 16. | HOU | Dalton Schultz | 27.4 |
| 17. | TB | Cade Otton | 24.6 |
| 18. | LV | • Michael Mayer | 22.4 |
| 19. | NE | Hunter Henry | 29.0 |
| 20. | NYG | Darren Waller | 31.2 |
| 21. | DEN | Greg Dulcich | 23.7 |
| 22. | WAS | Logan Thomas | 32.4 |
| 23. | BAL | Isaiah Likely | 23.6 |
| 24. | LAC | Gerald Everett | 29.4 |
| 25. | TEN | Chigoziem Okonkwo | 24.2 |
| 26. | NO | Juwan Johnson | 27.2 |
| 27. | ATL | Jonnu Smith | 28.3 |
| 28. | IND | Jelani Woods | 25.1 |
| 29. | DAL | • Luke Schoonmaker | 25.2 |
| 30. | LAR | Tyler Higbee | 30.9 |
| 31. | SEA | Noah Fant | 26.0 |
| 32. | BUF | Dawson Knox | 27.0 |
| 33. | NYJ | Tyler Conklin | 28.3 |
| 34. | IND | Kylen Granson | 25.7 |
| 35. | UFA | Zach Ertz | 33.1 |
| 36. | CIN | Tanner Hudson | 29.1 |
| 37. | GB | • Tucker Kraft | 23.1 |
| 38. | JAC | Luke Farrell | 26.1 |
| 39. | LAC | Donald Parham | 26.3 |
| 40. | CAR | Tommy Tremble | 23.5 |
—Ian Allan