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Why Seattle Seahawks should take tight end Jake Ferguson in 2022 draft

By Lee Vowell

Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) attempts to run through the tackle of Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Timarcus Davis (7) after evading Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) during the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) attempts to run through the tackle of Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Timarcus Davis (7) after evading Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) during the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks top two tight ends from 2021 – Will Dissly and Gerald Everett – are free agents so no guarantee of them returning. Drafting Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson could help make up for the losses of Dissly and Everett.

Ferguson is 6’5″ and 250 pounds so definitely a big target for Russell Wilson. He isn’t going to fool anyone into thinking he is Kyle Pitts but Seattle doesn’t need him to be. And to be fair, even if the Seahawks had Pitts they likely wouldn’t get him the ball enough to maximize his productivity.

Ferguson is a bit more like Colby Parkinson right now. A bit target who can be a good red-zone threat if used correctly. Ferguson is a little further along than Parkinson was when Parkinson was drafted by Seattle in 2020, however.

Why TE Jake Ferguson would be a good 2022 draft choice for the Seahawks

At Wisconsin, Ferguson was asked to block a lot. Wisconsin is definitely a run-heavy offense that won’t produce high numbers for its receivers. But Ferguson did have at least 30 catches in each of his four seasons at Wisconsin with a high of 46 in 2021. While Ferguson had 3 touchdowns in 13 games this past year, he had 4 in 7 games in 2020 so he is capable of making impact plays.

Ferguson’s frame is such that he can definitely add muscle with an NFL weight training programming without losing his explosiveness. Gaining 10-15 pounds is definitely something that should be expected of him.

Wisconsin didn’t require its tight ends to do anything fancy. Mostly it was find holes in coverages and use straight-ahead speed and strength to catch and block. But Ferguson appears to easily have the athleticism to do quite a bit more.

Next. 3 linebackers who could replace Bobby Wagner. dark

He runs a 4.7 40 so definitely fast enough for a tight end. His college background of having to block a ton will only help him acclimate to the NFL as well. He isn’t a Week 1 starter but he could be a Week 17 starter once he learns the Seahawks system and late-season games are often more than early-season ones anyway.

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