Dallas City News

Training camp is underway for the Dallas Cowboys (and every team in the NFL) which means it is time to lay a foundation. What happens over the course of a regular season is born through the days of camp out in the confines of Oxnard, California; however, it can be said that true conception begins the moment offseason work first starts as players have to ensure that their bodies are in proper form.

This past season was the emergence of tight end Jake Ferguson, and one would assume that a level of logic of “what worked last year is worth doing again” would be what he is holding, but it appears that Ferguson wanted to do something a little bit different in 2024.

He wanted to get bigger.

According to Jake Ferguson he is bigger and faster this year than last

It sounds like sensationalism to say that a big and physical player who plays a big and physical sport wanted to get bigger and more physical, but in the case of Jake Ferguson it really does appear like this idea truly manifested itself.

Ferguson met with the media following Sunday’s practice (where unfortunately Sam Williams tore his ACL) and he was asked about the work that he put in over the course of the offseason and what it was directed towards.

“A lot of it was my speed, but also at the end of the year I finished at 240 lbs. and while I was still strong that wasn’t the weight I can move guys at. At the exit interview coach was like we can get you to 250, 255 and right now I’m sitting at 255. I ran faster in all my testing. Ran faster than I did at the combine. And then tested all and I lift better. I feel really good right now. Feel like I’m running well. Obviously pads aren’t on yet so real football’s yet to be played.”

It is common for players to wear down a bit as seasons go on, an NFL campaign is in many ways a battle of attrition. Perhaps Ferguson having some extra weight will help him sustain that grind a bit better.

Ferguson noted that he is faster than he was at the NFL Combine. Here is his Mockdraftable profile from when he entered the draft two years ago.

Mockdraftable

Assuming Ferguson is coming in faster than this (and heavier based on his own words) then this is, forgive the trope that is associated with this time of year, the best shape that he has ever been in relative to time in the NFL.

In 2023 Ferguson had over 100 targets (although just barely) and he hauled in 71 of them for 761 receiving yards with five receiving touchdowns. Hopefully he is able to surpass all of those this season with team success building upon it. If so that could set up an interesting offseason where he will be eligible for a contract extension for the first time.