NFL scout reveals Cowboys’ $52 million tight end’s biggest weakness

Jake Ferguson remains the Dallas Cowboys' unquestioned starting tight end entering the 2026 season. Yet despite signing a $52 million extension last year, one recurring issue has prevented him from taking the next step among the NFL's best players at his position.

Jake Ferguson becomes target for opposing defenses

Ferguson has earned the Cowboys' trust through dependable hands, physical blocking, and consistent production near the goal line. Those traits convinced Dallas to invest in him long term, but opposing defenses now believe they have identified a weakness that can change games.

That weakness is ball security. In ESPN's annual survey of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives, an anonymous NFC scout praised Ferguson's all-around game before identifying fumbling as the area opponents actively attack. "His problem is fumbling. We targeted trying to get the ball loose when we played him," the scout told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Ferguson has dropped the ball seven times in the last two seasons, three times this year. At the start of his career, he didn't drop the ball at all during his first 90 catches.

Some players made mistakes because they didn't use the right moves. Budda Baker from the Arizona Cardinals knocked the ball out by punching it from behind. Jack Campbell from the Detroit Lions took the ball away after tackling Ferguson. These plays showed players trying to get the ball, not just making tackles.

Even though he has some problems, Dallas still sees Ferguson as important. He is Dak Prescott's main tight end and helps score points. If he takes better care of the ball, he can score more and make big plays. This helped him have a great season in 2023 and can keep him talked about as one of the best tight ends.

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