Jake Ferguson Fantasy Football Start or Sit Advice for Week 5

The Dallas Cowboys are in action on Thursday Night Football in Week 5, putting America’s Team on primetime television as they try and get above the .500 mark. This offense is clicking nicely, but Jake Ferguson is yet to repeat the type of performances that made him stand out at the tight end position in fantasy football last year. Can he find his form against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Here are the details on whether you should start or sit Jake Ferguson in Week 5.

Jake Ferguson Start or Sit Advice for Week 5

Last season, Jake Ferguson boomed as a fantasy TE1 with one of the best seasons of his career. The veteran posted 82 receptions with eight touchdowns, both of which marked new high marks, producing 600 yards as well. He averaged 11.18 FPPG and was quite productive with his opportunities in PPR formats, but one could argue his target volume was what made him so solid in fantasy. He saw 5.9 targets per game, ninth at the position, along with 1.41 targets per game inside the 20-yard line, the third most among tight ends. Ferguson’s steady hands and sizable role in the red zone allowed him to blossom, but there were some yellow flags in his profile.

Even when he was producing fantasy points, Ferguson’s efficiency wasn’t anything to write home about. In fact, he ranked 39th among tight ends in YPRR (1.26) and 44th in YAC/REC (3.83). His explosive-catch rate of 2.9% fell 50th, too. What that told is was that while Ferguson was great in PPR formats based on raw catch volume, he wasn’t creating plays with his legs like the elite talents.

That issue has been echoed this season. Ferguson has seen his role decrease over the first four weeks of 2026 as his target share dipped to just 10.0% with a 9.1% first-read target share. Both of those marks fall in the 45th percentile or lower among tight ends, and his 3.8 targets per game fall 25th. Moreover, he’s produced just 0.76 YPRR and 2.67 YAC/REC, 39th and 42nd, respectively. With the downturn in opportunities, his lack of efficiency hasn’t been able to make up for low volume. That’s why Ferguson averages just 9.32 FPPG heading into Week 5, having caught 12-of-15 targets for 83 yards and three touchdowns.

The good news is that the Cowboys rank third in PROE at 8.6%, meaning they throw the ball more than most teams in neutral situations. Beyond that, Dak Prescott has largely played very well as the team ranks fifth in EPA/dropback. However, it just hasn’t translated to fantasy production for Ferguson. This week’s matchup may not see shootout-level pass volume from Dallas, either – the Cowboys are favored by more than a touchdown at home against the Buccaneers, who have an undrafted free agent making his second career start at quarterback. Tampa Bay is 0-4 to this point and getting desperate, but even that may not be enough to make this a particularly close game.

The Bottom Line

Ferguson is catching touchdowns in a pass-happy offense, but even his three scores haven’t been enough to make him a genuine difference-maker in fantasy football lineups. He’s scored 2.6, 20.3, 10.3 and 4.1 PPR points across the first four weeks, and it should be noted he has three or fewer receptions with 23 yards or less in three of those games. If he doesn’t get into the end zone, he’s not a playable asset.

If it’s any consolation, Tampa Bay does allow 17.9 FPPG to TEs this year, ninth most of any team. The Buccaneers have also conceded the eighth-highest target share to tight ends at 28.2%, and a 31.9% share of total receiving yards allowed has gone to the position, too. For that reason, Ferguson isn’t an outright sit in Week 5, but he’s not a player to get too excited about. If you’re playing him, you’re hoping for a touchdown. Personally, I’d rather play a different option if I had a better one on my bench.