2 reasons why Rams' breakout candidate is 231-yard second-round TE

The Los Angeles Rams didn't make a lot of changes on the offensive side of the ball, but they made three huge moves on defense, adding Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson.

While the excitement might be on defense when it comes to big impacts from new players, the Rams' offense might have a new key player who has already been on the roster.

The Athletic's Nate Atkins named the Rams' breakout candidate as second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson. After his 231-yard rookie season, Atkins revealed two reasons why Ferguson is the breakout candidate to watch for the Rams i2n 026.

2 reasons why Terrance Ferguson is Rams' breakout candidate

1. Volume increase from year one to year two

"The Rams spent their top draft pick a year ago on a tight end they were mostly planning to stash for a breakout this season," Atkins writes. "... His 21 yards per catch would have ranked second in the NFL last season on large volume, and though it'll likely come down with a boost in volume this season."

The Rams' second-year tight end wasn't meant to be a heavily involved player during his rookie season, according to Atkins.

With the plan to "stash" Ferguson for a breakout season in 2026, the Rams are now potentially ready to open the way for the second-round tight end to breakout in 2026.

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He caught 11 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season and added one catch for 19 yards on six targets in the playoffs.

While it's not an overly impressive rookie year by any means, the 21-yards per reception is incredible. With his volume likely to increase, that figure should diminish a bit.

But Ferguson should still be in line to receive a lot more volume in year two. His 25 targets should increase a bit in 2026, and those targets might be good ones, thanks to the second reason why Ferguson could breakout in 2026: the wide receiver room.

2. Elite WRs who'll draw attention

"Ferguson should be very difficult to account for with the attention they have to give to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams," Atkins writes.

With Puka Nacua, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and Davante Adams, probably the best No. 2 WR in the league, if not right up there with Tee Higgins, the Rams' passing attack is going to be dangerous.

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Nacua and Adams are a great duo, and with all of the attention from defenses on those two, Ferguson might be able to thrive in this offense.

Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are already great things for Ferguson, but add in the fact that the Rams TE might be seeing weaker coverage thanks to Nacua and Adams, and it would hardly be a surprise if he had a big 2026 season.

With the Rams' elite WR duo of Nacua and Adams, and the expected volume increase for Ferguson in his second NFL season, a breakout year from the 23-year-old, 46th overall pick from the 2025 NFL Draft could be in store for a breakout season in 2026.

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