Week 7 at Seattle Seahawks
Zach Ertz struggled along with the rest of the Arizona offense last week, catching just two passes for 22 yards in a lopsided loss to the Rams. More concerning, Ertz fell behind Trey McBride in snaps in Week 6 for the first time this season. He still had five targets, but it’s worth monitoring whether his role is starting to decrease.
This week, Ertz faces a Seattle defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Ertz belongs in fringe-starter territory, a common place for him as one of the primary streaming options this season. He gets just enough targets to make him interesting, but not enough production in a struggling offense to make him a must-start. If you need bye week coverage this week, Ertz isn’t a bad filler for you.
Week 6 at Los Angeles Rams
Zach Ertz only had two catches for 10 yards last week against the Bengals, but he scored his first touchdown of the season. Ertz has at least eight targets in three games this season, so he’s getting enough volume to make him worth fantasy consideration with the dearth of fantasy options at the position.
This week, Ertz faces a Rams defense that has been vulnerable to opposing tight ends this season, ranking 30th in aFPA to the position. Fire up Ertz as a viable streaming option this week.
Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Zach Ertz hasn’t lit the world on fire this year, but he’s getting steady targets. That’s often enough in the desolate world of tight end fantasy production. Ertz is coming off six catches and his second double-digit target day of the season against the 49ers. He finished the game with 53 yards in a lopsided loss.
Ertz is a fantastic streaming option this week in a great matchup against the Bengals, who rank 31st in aFPA to opposing tight ends. With such a vulnerable opponent and a steady dose of targets heading his way, we have Ertz ranked as a fringe-TE1 option this week, and one of the top waiver-wire additions for teams needing to stream the position in Week 5.
Week 4 at San Francisco 49ers
Zach Ertz saw just two targets last week against the Cowboys, catching both for a mere six yards. Ertz had 18 targets through the first two weeks, however, and he still saw 59% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 3.
Ertz has a tough matchup this week against the 49ers, who rank ninth in aFPA to opposing tight ends. While it’s good to see him getting targets through three games, Ertz is part of a struggling passing offense in a bad matchup. Sit him.
Week 3 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Zach Ertz caught six of his eight targets for 56 yards last week in a loss to the Giants. Ertz now has 18 targets through two games. While that’s yielded just 77 yards on 12 receptions, it’s hard to ignore the usage. Ertz is clearly a favorite for quarterback Josh Dobbs and can be counted on for a heavy dose of looks, it appears.
This week may not be the best time to use him, however. The Cowboys have dominated defensively, and while that could yield some negative game script and additional targets for Ertz, fantasy managers should try to steer clear from this passing game as much as possible. We have Ertz just outside TE1 territory this week, and he makes for a risky streaming option at best.
Week 2 vs. New York Giants
Zach Ertz led the team with 10 targets last week, catching six balls in a narrow loss to the Commanders. Unfortunately, those six receptions yielded only 21 yards, and the Cardinals look like they may have a long season ahead of them, offensively.
The Giants held Jake Ferguson to two catches and 11 yards last week, but it’s hard to glean much from that lopsided affair. Ertz’s targets are worth monitoring to see if he continues to be a favorite of Josh Dobbs, but this passing offense is too risky to seriously consider starting anyone in most leagues. Roster him in deeper leagues, but sit him in Week 2.
Week 10 at Los Angeles Rams
Zach Ertz caught five balls for 40 yards and a touchdown last week in a loss to the Seahawks. He has four touchdowns on the season, including one in each of his past two outings. He’s been one of the few consistent options at the tight end position and he’s the TE3 on the season.
This week, Ertz faces a Rams defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Regardless of matchup, his targets and role in the offense make him a must-start for fantasy managers lucky enough to have grabbed him at his affordable mid-round cost back in August. Start him every week.
Week 9 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Zach Ertz had another nice fantasy outing last week against the Vikings, catching four balls for 34 yards and a touchdown. It was his third touchdown of the season and he’s now the TE4 in half-PPR formats.
This week, Ertz should continue to thrive in a great matchup against the Seahawks. Seattle has been better than expected on defense this year, but they’ve been an absolute sieve to opposing tight ends, ranking dead last in aFPA to the position. Ertz caught seven balls for 70 yards the last time these two teams met. Start Ertz in all formats.
Week 8 at Minnesota Vikings
Zach Ertz was held to just two catches and 21 yards on four targets last week against the Saints. It was a season-low for him in fantasy points, and the fewest receptions and yards since Week 1. Ertz has been pretty steady all year, however, so fantasy managers shouldn’t be too concerned.
This week, Ertz should rebound in a great matchup against the Vikings. The Minnesota defense ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, and Ertz should be able to find some room to operate. We have him ranked inside our top-five options at the tight end position this week. Start him.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints
Zach Ertz only has two touchdowns this season, but he has double-digit targets in four of his six games and had seven catches for 70 yards against the Seahawks last week. Ertz is currently on pace for 99 catches this season, and while the return of DeAndre Hopkins from suspension could impact how many balls there are to go around, the injury to Marquise Brown kind of mitigates that risk.
Ertz has a tough matchup this week against the Saints. New Orleans ranks third in aFPA to opposing tight ends and Hayden Hurst was held to just three catches and 21 scoreless yards against them last week. Still, Ertz’s talent and target share make him a must-start regardless of matchup. He should be considered a strong fantasy option in that second tier of tight ends after Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce.
