Green Bay Packers Host Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson

As they should be, the Green Bay Packers appear to be doing their homework on the tight end position. After learning that UCLA’s Greg Dulcich had a top-30 visit with the team, Ian Rapoport would also report that Green Bay had Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson in for a visit as well recently.

Tight end depth is a big need for the Green Bay Packers heading into the draft.

As I discussed recently, tight end may not be a major need in 2022 — as long as Robert Tonyan is back and healthy — but with only Josiah Deguara under contract in 2023, it is a need that should be addressed somewhat early on in the draft. After all, the draft is about planning ahead, not only addressing current needs.

Ferguson measured in at 6’4” – 250 pounds and posted a RAS of 6.73. Although that RAS figure is below 8.0, which at a minimum, is what Brian Gutekunst has typically coveted, it’s worth noting that with the selections of Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara, the team has made exceptions at the tight end position.

Ferguson is a well-rounded tight end prospect. In the passing game during his time at Wisconsin, he was a red zone threat and a steady presence, who was targeted 183 times over his four-year playing career, catching 73% of those passes at 11.4 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns, according to PFF ($$).

He is also a willing blocker, ranking 32nd in 2021 out of all eligible tight ends in PFF’s run-blocking grade. While he primarily lined up in-line, Ferguson also spent 36% of his total snaps in the slot.

At the NFL level, Ferguson will be a standard Y-tight end. Now for more of Ferguson’s game, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say:

"“Durable, reliable and consistent, Ferguson comes from a football family. He had copy-and-paste receiving production throughout his career despite playing in a limited passing attack with inconsistent quarterback play. He has outstanding ball skills, including a rare level of concentration to make challenging catches in the face of oncoming collisions. While he gives effort as a blocker, he wasn’t a great fit for what Wisconsin asks of their tight ends in the running game and he’s likely to be overmatched if asked to take on defensive ends in the NFL. He is a solid receiver and a below-average blocker with TE2/3 potential.“"

Ferguson is likely to end up as an early Day 3 pick, and it’s worth noting that the Green Bay Packers do have a pair of fourth-round picks. He will need some time to develop, but with the current construction of the tight end room, the Packers have that luxury with Ferguson—or whoever they select.