The 2025 NFL season kicks off this Thursday evening, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles facing off against the Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 PM on NBC.
All eyes are on the Cowboys as they enter the season amidst discussions of a potential trade involving Micah Parsons. There’s a palpable curiosity about how they will perform, particularly since they’re up against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Cowboys’ offense includes several familiar faces, notably tight end Jake Ferguson, who is ranked among the top 15 in average draft position for both standard and PPR formats. He’s expected to be one of Dak Prescott’s key targets this season.
Here’s a look at Ferguson’s prospects for fantasy football in the first week.
Fantasy Football Analysis: Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson
Ferguson was a top-10 fantasy tight end last year, but he faced some setbacks, ending the season with 59 catches for 494 yards and no touchdowns. Injuries played a significant role; he missed three games, and Prescott was sidelined during the latter part of the season due to a hamstring issue. Despite this, he still ranked 12th in receptions among tight ends, which is worth noting if you’re considering him for a PPR league.
This offseason, he secured a four-year contract extension with the Cowboys, securing his status as the team’s primary tight end for the foreseeable future. However, it’s still uncertain whether he can break into the elite tier of tight ends across the league.
Should you start or sit him in a standard league during the first week?
sit. Ferguson faces a tough challenge right off the bat against the Eagles, who allowed only 591 reception yards to tight ends last season. Even if the Cowboys find themselves in more passing situations in the latter half of the game, navigating through one of the NFL’s strongest defenses will be a significant hurdle. Unless you’re in a deeper league with limited options, I would recommend sitting Ferguson in week one.
Should you start or sit him in a PPR league during the first week?
sit. Even if Ferguson sees a considerable number of targets from Prescott, it likely won’t be enough to satisfy those who opt to start him.
