Cowboys Preseason: Rising rookie Jake Ferguson alerts teammates

One year after being selected in the fourth round, tight end Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys delivered a strong statement on Saturday night by confirming every rumor that he would start as a second-year player.

However, he didn’t spend much time discussing his three receptions for a total of 38 yards after the game. Rather, he unintentionally alerted guys in his position to a dark horse rookie who may very well be leaving someone off the team come August 29th cutdown day.

“(John Stephens) is a baller,” Ferguson said to the media after the opening preseason game. “He is performing in drills, at camp, and tonight at the performance. He’s a fantastic talent who is just now beginning to play at a high level. I’m interested to watch how he develops and what he can accomplish for this squad.”

Stephens, a former collegiate wide receiver, is attracting attention throughout training camp and is among the most talked-about rookies. On Saturday, he lived up to the anticipation by grabbing five of seven targets for 56 yards and a score.

The converted tight end is the tallest pass-catcher on the Cowboys at six feet five inches, and he understands how to make the most of that on the football field. He’s received some attention from the outside thanks to his profile. Because of his catching prowess, I ranked Stephens as the second most likely UDFA rookie to make the club in a prior article:

Ferguson continued, “I don’t even think we’ve seen any sort of that yet. He has a high ceiling.” “He’s one of those guys that can definitely help us down the road.”

As said in the comment above, Stephens’ competition for one of the three to four roster slots seems to be centered around defeating Peyton Hendershot, even if the TE room is packed.

Hendershot, who was once drafted out of college, is aware that no job in the NFL is ever guaranteed. Hunter Luepke has an H-back type profile, so Sean McKeon has to be concerned about him, although Hendershot and Stephens play comparable games.

After everything is said and done, Hendershot may be a surprise cut if Stephens continues to show that he can be a reliable weapon for the Cowboys with some promise as a versatile player who can also line up outside and win with size and quickness.

But for the time being, Stephens is preoccupied with the one thing he can manage: his own growth.

“The speed,” the youngster said to reporters when they inquired about the most important lesson he learned during his NFL debut. “Like, me transitioning to a new position, getting the footwork and all that right.”

He still has a couple more weeks to demonstrate his worth in order to be included to the Cowboys’ 53-man roster. In the event that he is not selected, anticipate that he will be given priority as the team assembles its practice squad and that he will eventually be used.