What a coach. What felt like a slow roll—waiting for the Rams to tip their hand in the 2025 NFL Draft—turned into a savvy play. While many assumed L.A. was eyeing Matthew Stafford’s successor, Sean McVay and the front office zagged, crafting a different kind of succession plan. One that reinforces a scheme, not just a depth chart. With the No. 46 overall pick, the Rams snagged Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, injecting fresh life into the tight end room with a versatile chess piece. And no one’s prouder than Ducks head coach Dan Lanning.

Moments after the pick, Dan Lanning went full heart-on-sleeve for his TE1, posting: “Rams get ready! You just signed a player who is going to sprint on the field every day to work practice and games! Great Player Better person!!!” That’s not just coach-speak—that’s a ringing endorsement from a man who watched Ferguson grow into one of the polished weapons. And it’s not just Coach Lanning who’s hyped about the move—Ferguson’s brother might be even more ecstatic.

During his first press conference after being drafted, Terrance Ferguson revealed a funny but heartfelt reaction from his sibling, a lifelong Detroit Lions and Stafford fan. “You get to play with the G.O.A.T.,” Ferguson recalled his brother saying. A little sibling envy never hurt, especially when it’s rooted in awe.

Ferguson comes to L.A. with the type of résumé coaches salivate over: 53 career college games, 134 receptions, 1,537 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. He saved his best for last, posting 43 catches for 591 yards during the 2024 season with Dillon Gabriel throwing him the rock. Lanning praised his toughness, telling ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, “He’s a tough kid. He’s played with a lot of injuries. This is one you can’t really play with.” That speaks volumes—Ferguson isn’t just another stat sheet darling; he’s built for battle. Ferguson could be an impact player for the Rams right away with his 6-foot-5 frame and 4.63 speed. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and can elevate over defenders to make tough catches, using his 39-inch vertical to make plays “above the rim,” so to speak.

And scheme fit? Terrance Ferguson is the blueprint. He’s got the glue hands, route IQ, and blocking ability to thrive in McVay’s evolving offense. With Sean McVay publicly leaning into more two-TE sets, Ferguson slots in perfectly as a Kupp-like zone beater from the Y-spot—finding pockets, moving the chains, and absorbing contact like it’s personal.

McVay sees shades of Kelce and Cooley in Rams rookie TE Terrance Ferguson

When Sean McVay talks about tight ends, you listen—especially when he’s tossing around names like Travis Kelce and Chris Cooley in the same breath as a rookie. Yes, that’s exactly what the Rams HC did when asked about Terrance Ferguson, L.A.’s newest addition to the TE room.

“He reminds me a lot of Chris Cooley,” McVay said. “He’s got some similar body mannerisms to Travis Kelce.” Now, let’s pause for a second—that’s some serious company. Cooley was one of the most creative route runners of his era, and Kelce? Well, he’s the gold standard right now. So, for Ferguson to even be mentioned alongside them? That’s not just flattery—that’s belief.

McVay explained that it’s Ferguson’s instincts, fluidity, and feel for space that caught his eye. “Those are big, lofty comparisons, so certainly not saying he’s those guys yet,” McVay said. “But there’s a lot of instincts. He plays with a change-of-pace when the ball gets in his hands. I think he can play in the C(-gap) area. He’s moved around the formation. When things go off-schedule, he shows what a great feel he has to find soft spots.”

McVay even praised Ferguson’s chemistry with QB Gabriel, saying the duo clicked well on broken plays. Ferguson isn’t just another body in the room—he’s a chess piece McVay can’t wait to move around.