On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
It's official. The Rams have made their first selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. As a member of the Ducks, he helped the team win the Big 10 in their first year in the conference.
Thus Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano gave the Rams an C+ grade for the pick.
"The Rams took a risk here, taking Ferguson instead of Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo. " Wrote Manzano. "But Ferguson proved to be a versatile tight end in four years as a starter at Oregon."
"Ferguson was a reliable pass catcher, recording at least 40 catches and 400 receiving yards the past two seasons. Last season, Ferguson delivered 43 receptions for 591 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps Rams coach Sean McVay is a fan of Ferguson’s blocking capabilities. McVay prefers for his tight ends to stay on the field at all times playing in his 11 personnel."
Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick added his scouting report.
"An athletic tight end who notched a 4.63 40-yard dash and 39-inch vertical jump at the combine, Ferguson played in 53 games across four seasons at Oregon. He finished his career as the Ducks’ all-time leader in catches (134) and touchdowns (16) by a tight end due to his athleticism, ball skills and intelligence. Ferguson is a loose mover during routes, can separate with physicality and breaks tackles after the catch due to his strong lower half. The 6' 5", 247-pounder runs hot and cold with his commitment to blocking, and needs to tighten his hands and feet to grow into a serviceable blocker in the NFL."
With the selection of Ferguson, the Rams have an heir apparent for Tyler Higbee as Higbee has shown to be injury prone while his addition also helps Sean McVay run more two tight end formations.
Another weapon for Matthew Stafford, the Rams' offense diversifies before the 2025 NFL season.
More must-reads:
- TE Premium Draft Strategy explained: Top fantasy football targets for 2025
- NFL Draft intel: Top QBs set to clash in ranked showdown in Death Valley
- The 'Most NFL 1,000-receiving yard seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Minnesota Vikings make shocking release of popular defender as final roster cut deadline approaches
Steelers Decide OT Competition
With mere hours to go before the 53-man roster cutdown deadline passes today, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their decision on which reserve offensive linemen they're going to carry into the regular season. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers have released offensive tackle Dylan Cook. He is now subject to waivers, though he could return to the team's practice squad if he goes unclaimed. Cook was steady throughout training camp and appeared in all three of Pittsburgh's preseason games this year. He first logged a total of 37 snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 9, 28 of which came at left tackle, and received an overall grade of 55.8 from Pro Football Focus while allowing two pressures. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 16, Cook earned a fantastic 83.5 pass blocking grade after not giving up a single pressure in 49 reps, with 35 coming at left tackle and 14 at right tackle. In the Steelers' preseason finale vs. the Carolina Panthers last Thursday night, Cook played 19 snaps at left tackle and five at right tackle while allowing a pressure. It appeared as though Cook had a real shot at being Pittsburgh's swing tackle this season given his experience on both sides of the line. Calvin Anderson got the nod over him while working through a soft-tissue injury that's led to a prolonged absence, however, while the signing of Andrus Peat earlier this month also provided a hit to his chances of making the roster. Cook was placed on injured reserve during roster cutdown day last year with a foot injury. He was later waived in late October, but the Steelers re-signed him to their practice squad after he went unclaimed. The 27-year-old remained with the team for the rest of the season, though he did not appear in a game for them before agreeing to a reserve/futures deal in January. Cook began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent out of Montana State University in 2022. He spent nearly his entire rookie season on their practice squad and inked a reserve/futures deal with the team before being waived in May 2023. The Steelers claimed him and placed him on their initial 53-man roster to begin the 2023 season, though he never appeared in a regular season game that year as well. Pittsburgh now has 10 offensive linemen remaining on its roster: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum, Mason McCormick, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Isaac Seumalo, Spencer Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones.
How Browns feel about Deshaun Watson amid unsettled quarterback situation
Deshaun Watson has become somewhat of a forgotten figure regarding the Cleveland Browns' unique quarterback situation that could involve the club having starter Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders on the roster for its Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. For an article published on Monday, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer noted that Watson will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season after he suffered a torn Achilles last October and then tore the Achilles again during his recovery. However, it sounds like the Browns haven't yet completely closed the door on Watson returning to the active roster before Week 18 wraps up. "He’s coming along well in his rehab from his re-torn Achilles repair and could be ready to go later in the season," Cabot wrote about Watson. "Whether or not the Browns will activate him remains to be seen, but they’ve been happy with how he’s attacked his rehab and how he’s helped the other QBs, especially Gabriel and Sanders." Watson has made just 19 regular-season starts with the Browns since he received a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract from the club in March 2022. He served an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions to open his first campaign with Cleveland. His 2023 season ended prematurely because of a shoulder issue. He then lost six of seven starts last season before he went down with the initial Achilles injury. It was suggested earlier this month that Watson could essentially force the Browns to move him to the 53-man roster if he's cleared to play this coming fall. Such a scenario theoretically would result in Cleveland having to part ways with a different signal-caller. While the previously mentioned Sanders is clearly fourth on Cleveland's current depth chart, Cabot wrote that the Browns like the rookie "a lot and will continue to develop him." Cabot added that "the Browns have always planned to keep four quarterbacks and will only pivot if someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse." Pickett presumably would become the odd man out regarding such a potential trade. Still, he first needs to fully recover from the hamstring injury he picked up on July 26 that kept him from playing in any preseason games. Meanwhile, Watson will continue his recovery behind the scenes after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said earlier this year that Cleveland "took a big swing and miss with Deshaun." The Browns reportedly could escape Watson's deal next offseason.
Keegan Bradley expected to make controversial Ryder Cup captain's pick
Keegan Bradley will announce his six captain's picks for the 2025 Ryder Cup on Wednesday, but we might already know the answer to the most glaring question he's facing. According to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, Bradley is expected to pick himself as a playing captain at Bethpage Black. If true, Bradley will become the first playing captain in the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963. It went well for Team USA 62 years ago, as the Red, White and Blue cruised to a 23-9 victory against Team Great Britain at Atlanta Athletic Club. Palmer went 3-0-1 in his four matches that week. It probably isn't fair to compare Bradley's situation to Palmer's six decades ago. In fact, the Europeans will be delighted if the American captain brings his clubs to Long Island in September. "It’s the impossible job to do both," Sir Nick Faldo, Europe’s 2008 captain, told The Telegraph. "There’s so much attention needed. The fans will call him selfish for picking himself. Goodness knows what the media will say. You could regret it for the rest of your life. Look, you’ve got enough going on trying to win your match. We hope Bradley does... we hope he stays as captain and does two roles!" Rory McIlroy, who figures to be one of the stars on Team Europe in 2025, echoed the same sentiment. "I don't think you can do it," McIlroy told reporters ahead of the BMW Championship. "I just think the commitments that a captain has the week of—you think about the extra media that a captain has to do, you think about the extra meetings that the captains have to do with the vice captains, with the PGA of America, in Keegan's case, preparing your speech for the opening ceremony. There's a lot of things that people don't see that the captain does the week of the Ryder Cup, especially now that the Ryder Cup has become so big." At the same time, it's hard to argue that there are six options better than Bradley on the American side. The 39-year-old recorded 11 top-20 finishes in 21 starts this season, won the Travelers Championship in June and finished T7 at the Tour Championship. He currently ranks 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking and 18th in the Data Golf Rankings. If Bradley weren't the Team USA captain, he would be a lock for a wild-card spot on the team. The only factor holding him back is the uncertainty of pulling double duty, but that's what his vice captains are for. Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Gary Woodland and Brandt Snedeker are more than capable of picking up the slack when Bradley is on the course. This decision is exactly what the Europeans were rooting for, but Bradley plays his best golf when he's doubted.
Green Bay Packers: 3X Super Bowl Champ Is Unsurprising Cut from Final 53-Man Roster
As the 3 PM deadline for final roster cuts creeps closer, the Green Bay Packers have already trimmed several names from the final 53-man unit. Among them, reports ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, is wide receiver Mecole Hardman, signed this offseason to a one-year deal. A 3-time Super Bowl Winner with the Chiefs, Hardman was brought in to provide gadget-receiver versatility and veteran leadership. After an unflattering training camp, however, the Packers have decided to embrace the youth in the wide receiver room, choosing promise over experience. With only $150,000 guaranteed at signing, cutting Hardman was not a financially complicated decision, but it is a disappointing outcome to what was supposed to be a floor-raising offseason move. Green Bay Packers choose youth over years in Hardman cut For the final receiver spot, Hardman was competing primarily with third-year player Malik Heath, a former undrafted free agent who caught 25 passes in his first two seasons. Although Hardman is just 27 himself, Heath does have a couple of years on him and impressed in camp. Beset by injuries and inconsistency, the former has struggled to make an impact over the past three years. Demovsky previously reported that Hardman’s roster status hinged on whether the Packers went with six or seven receivers; if six is the pick, it seems they have chosen Heath as the last man in. Also beating out Hardman, presumably, is third-rounder Savion Williams. He joins a Week 1 receiver room of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, and Dontavyion Wicks. Recovering from knee surgery, Christian Watson will begin the year on the PUP list. To be clear, Hardman’s release is no shocker at this point. Go back to the date of his signing, though, and it was hardly clear that he would lose out to the likes of Heath. Before summer camp, Hardman said he looked forward to battling Green Bay’s young receivers for depth-chart position. While he has lost that competition, perhaps his presence in camp helped keep competitive spirits high, pushing the youngsters to outperform the established veteran. Among pass catchers, Demovksy reports, the Packers have also released receiver Isaiah Neyor, a 6-foot-4 senior out of Nebraska.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
