As Week 6 of the 2025 fantasy football season approaches, tight end decisions loom large for managers. Jake Ferguson remains a polarizing option, ranking as TE11 but lacking touchdowns despite solid volume.
With 32 targets and Dak Prescott’s trust, Ferguson’s floor is safe—but his ceiling hinges on finally finding the end zone. Meanwhile, Jonnu Smith offers touchdown upside, making this a classic risk-reward dilemma for fantasy lineups.
The Cowboys’ matchup against the Eagles’ TE-vulnerable defense could tilt the scales in Ferguson’s favor, but managers must weigh his consistency against Smith’s big-play potential.
- Jake Ferguson ranks as TE #11 in 2025 fantasy through Week 5, offering a solid PPR floor with 27 receptions but zero touchdowns—raising concerns about his ceiling.
- Ferguson’s volume (32 targets) outshines Jonnu Smith’s scarcity (13 targets), but Smith’s higher TD rate (1 TD) makes him a risky upside play for touchdown-dependent managers.
- The Eagles’ defense allows the 7th-most fantasy points to TEs, suggesting Ferguson could exploit coverage in Week 6—though his limited red-zone role (3 targets) caps scoring potential.
- Community debates highlight Ferguson’s elite snap count (51/game) versus skepticism about his blocking role and reliance on Dak Prescott’s connection with CeeDee Lamb in critical situations.
Jake Ferguson Fantasy Football Week 6 Outlook: Should You Start Him or Jonnu Smith in 2025?
As we approach Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy managers face a tight end dilemma between Dallas Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jonnu Smith. Ferguson, currently ranked as TE #11, has shown consistency with 27 receptions on 32 targets but hasn’t found the end zone this season. His production relies heavily on Dak Prescott’s performance, making him a high-floor, low-ceiling option in PPR leagues.
Jonnu Smith, while less targeted (13 receptions), offers higher touchdown potential with 1 score already this year. The Cowboys’ acquisition of George Pickens has slightly diluted Ferguson’s target share, but his 86% snap rate suggests he’ll remain involved. The Eagles’ defense, Ferguson’s Week 6 opponent, has allowed the 7th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Key Factors to Consider
- Dak Prescott’s health and passing volume (32.4 attempts/game)
- Philadelphia’s vulnerability to tight ends in slot coverage
- Ferguson’s career 6.8 yards/reception average
Jake Ferguson’s 2025 Season Performance Analysis
Through five games, Ferguson has accumulated 183 receiving yards on 27 catches, ranking him 11th among fantasy tight ends. While these numbers appear respectable, his lack of touchdowns and limited big-play ability (zero receptions over 20 yards) have frustrated managers expecting a breakout. His 11.9 fantasy points per 100 snaps demonstrate efficiency, but the Cowboys’ offense clearly prioritizes CeeDee Lamb in critical situations.
The tight end’s average depth of target (aDOT) sits at just 5.3 yards, indicating he’s primarily used as a safety valve rather than a downfield threat. This explains his high completion percentage (84.4%) but modest yardage totals. Ferguson has been targeted on 18.5% of his routes run, a slight decrease from 2024’s 19.2% target rate.
Statistical Breakdown
| Metric | Jake Ferguson | League TE Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Targets | 32 | 8th |
| Red-Zone Targets | 3 | 21st |
| Yards After Catch | 97 | 14th |
Comparing Jake Ferguson and Jonnu Smith for Week 6
The Ferguson-Smith debate epitomizes the fantasy tight end conundrum: consistent volume versus touchdown potential. Smith has transformed 5 red-zone targets into 1 touchdown compared to Ferguson’s 0 scores on 3 opportunities. While Ferguson averages 6.1 fantasy points per game, Smith’s 5.8-point average comes on significantly fewer targets (13 vs. 32).
Smith benefits from Pittsburgh’s creative offensive scheme that often utilizes multiple tight end sets. His 12.3 yards/reception nearly doubles Ferguson’s average, demonstrating greater big-play ability. However, Ferguson’s role in Dallas’ more potent offense gives him a higher weekly floor, especially in PPR formats where his 4-5 catches per game provide stability.
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Targets: Ferguson 32, Smith 13
- Touchdowns: Ferguson 0, Smith 1
- Snap Percentage: Ferguson 86%, Smith 61%
- Routes Run: Ferguson 173, Smith 98
Week 6 Matchup: Cowboys vs. Eagles Defensive Analysis
The Eagles present a favorable matchup for Ferguson, having allowed the 7th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Philadelphia’s linebackers have struggled in coverage, particularly against intermediate routes where Ferguson operates. Their defense has surrendered 5 touchdowns to tight ends through five games, tied for second-most in the NFL.
Dallas’ offensive line should provide Prescott adequate time to find Ferguson on crossing patterns, as the Eagles have generated pressure on just 31.2% of dropbacks (22nd in NFL). Philadelphia’s defensive scheme often leaves the middle of the field vulnerable, exactly where Ferguson runs 68% of his routes. Weather shouldn’t be a factor in this indoor matchup at AT&T Stadium.
Key Defensive Stats
- Eagles allow 13.2 fantasy points/game to TEs (7th-most)
- 5 TD allowed to TEs (T-2nd most)
- 68.3% completion rate vs. TEs (12th-highest)
Alternative Tight End Options for Week 6
For managers seeking alternatives, several intriguing options exist beyond Ferguson and Smith. Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft has seen increased opportunity with Luke Musgrave injured, drawing 14 targets over the past two weeks. Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton faces Atlanta’s defense that has allowed the 4th-most TE receptions (28).
Chicago’s Cole Kmet represents another viable pivot with his 5 red-zone targets (converted to 2 TDs). For deep leaguers, Detroit’s James Mitchell could be a sneaky play after his 4-catch, 53-yard performance in Week 5. The tight end position’s volatility means streaming options often outproduce drafted players on any given week.
Top Streaming Options
| Player | Matchup | Targets (Last 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Tucker Kraft (GB) | vs. DEN | 14 |
| Cade Otton (TB) | vs. ATL | 11 |
| Cole Kmet (CHI) | vs. JAX | 19 |
Jake Ferguson’s Rest-of-Season Fantasy Outlook
Looking beyond Week 6, Ferguson’s schedule presents both opportunities and challenges. Matchups against Carolina (Week 7) and Washington (Week 8) are favorable, but games versus San Francisco (Week 9) and Buffalo (Week 11) could prove difficult. His value remains tied to Prescott’s health and the Cowboys’ offensive philosophy, which has emphasized the run more in 2025 (45% run play rate, up from 41% last season).
The addition of George Pickens has undoubtedly affected Ferguson’s target share, but his role as Prescott’s safety blanket should sustain low-end TE1 value. Regression suggests his touchdown drought can’t continue forever – Ferguson had 5 scores on 86 targets in 2024. Patient managers could be rewarded if his red-zone usage increases during the season’s second half.
Rest-of-Season Projections
- Receptions: 65 (projected)
- Yards: 585-620
- Touchdowns: 4-5
- Fantasy Finish: Low-end TE1
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