Week 6 at Seattle Seahawks
Zach Ertz had a modest 48 yards last week against the Eagles, but he caught six balls and was targeted 10 times. It was the third time this season he’s had double-digit targets and he’s now the TE6 in fantasy this year.
This week, Ertz has a great matchup against a Seahawks defense that ranks dead last in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He should benefit greatly from an easy matchup and expect another busy day with TE1 production. We have him ranked inside our top-five tight ends this week. Start him.
Week 5 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz had another strong outing last week against the Panthers, catrching all six of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. He has double-digit PPR points in every game except for Week 1 this season and has scored in two out of four games so far.
This week, Ertz faces an Eagles defense that ranks eighth in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season. While it’s not a great matchup, this game could feature a lot of points scored, making Ertz worthy of starting. He’s been very steady since arriving in Arizona last year, and now we get to see a revenge game. We have him ranked as a borderline top-five option at the tight end position this week.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers
Zach Ertz had another quality outing last week. He only had 45 yards and didn’t find the end zone, but he caught six balls and had his second straight game with double-digit targets (10). Ertz has been very steady since coming over from Philadelphia in a mid-season trade last year, and fantasy managers have been able to sneak him into lineups behind more exciting names. Ertz should continue to be productive, however, and is definitely a weekly starter. He has the Panthers next on the docket, who have been pretty good against opposing tight ends so far, but Ertz is better than anyone else they’ve faced. He’s a solid TE1 in all leagues. Start him.
Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Zach Ertz caught eight of his 11 targets last week for 75 yards. He’s currently the fantasy TE7 and has picked up where he left off last season, looking like a bargain so far, considering his affordable ADP heading into the season.
This week, he’ll face a Rams defense that has held Dawson Knox and Kyle Pitts to next to nothing in consecutive weeks, so the matchup is a concern. Still, with so few legitimate starting tight end options, Ertz should be considered a TE1 option anyway. Start him, but temper expectations.
Week 2 at Las Vegas Raiders
Zach Ertz had a two-point conversion and a touchdown in garbage time last week against the Chiefs, though he finished with just two catches for 14 yards otherwise. Ertz is still a strong candidate to produce fantasy points on a reasonably consistent basis with his role in the offense. Even a little nicked up, he saw 60% of the team’s offensive snaps and he has an established rapport with quarterback Kyler Murray.
This week, Ertz is a fringe TE1 option in all leagues. The Raiders gave up three catches, 54 yards, and a touchdown to Gerald Everett last week, and also allowed a touchdown to Zander Horvath, who basically played an H-Back role for the Chargers. Expect Ertz to get more targets and more receptions in what could be a shootout. Start him.
Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Zach Ertz was rejuvenated after a mid-season trade to the Cardinals last season. He finished the year with 763 yards and five touchdowns on 74 receptions and was the fantasy TE4 after arriving in Arizona.
Ertz should play well to kick off the season against a Chiefs’ team that was 15th in aFPA to opposing tight ends last season. This game should feature a lot of passing and a lot of points scored, which bodes well for the pass-catchers involved. Start Ertz as a low-end TE1 option.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Zach Ertz, traded to the Cardinals from the Eagles last season, agreed to terms on a three-year contract to stay with his new club. The deal is worth $31.65 million with $17.5 million guaranteed. Ertz, who turned 31 last November, made an immediate impact after his Week 6 arrival in the desert. In the process, he tied the Cardinals' single-season record for catches by a tight end, doing it in just 11 games. Ertz finished ninth in receiving yards among tight ends last season, his ninth in the NFL. Last year was the first time Ertz played a full season since 2018 and just the fourth time in his career. There will be changes to the Cardinals' receiving corps, however. Christian Kirk is gone, but Marquise Brown was acquired in a trade with Baltimore. In addition, DeAndre Hopkins will miss the first six games due to suspension. So, even with rookie Trey McBride added to his position, Ertz and A.J. Green will provide some continuity to an otherwise evolving receiving corps. Expect a valuable -- and fantasy relevant -- role for Ertz.
2022 Fantasy Downside
The addition of McBride could eventually be a concern even if it's not immediate. Hopkins' return from suspension could also be a limiting factor.
2022 Bottom Line
As 4for4's John Paulsen noted, in his 11 games with the Cardinals last season, Ertz was the TE4 in fantasy. As the 10th tight end off the board in the 10th round, he appears to be a nice value and he's not without upside.
Week 17 at Dallas Cowboys
Zach Ertz had a quality outing for a tight end last week, catching eight balls for 54 yards in a losing effort against the Colts. Ertz has double-digit targets in two straight games now with DeAndre Hopkins shelved for the remainder of the season.
This week, Ertz faces a Cowboys defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Ertz should be heavily targeted again in what could end up being a negative game script for the Cardinals, which should land him in fantasy starter territory at the position. Start him.
Week 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Zach Ertz had a nice game against the Lions last week, catching six of his 11 targets for 74 yards. In the barren wasteland that is the tight end position in fantasy, Ertz is getting consistent work and has been a viable starter. He has at least five targets in all but two of his games with the Cardinals and has 18 over his past two.
This week, Ertz faces a Colts defense that ranks 29th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. In what should be a nice matchup, start Ertz as a quality fantasy tight end. Expect quality targets with a decent shot at the end zone. We have him inside our top 10 this week at the position.
Week 15 at Detroit Lions
Zach Ertz caught five of seven targets last week for 42 yards against the Rams. It was a quiet day for the veteran, but still viable fantasy numbers for the position. Ertz has been held out of the end zone for two straight games since his two-touchdown performance against the Seahawks on 11/21.
This week, Ertz faces a Lions defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. It’s a great matchup for him, and he could see more targets headed his way with DeAndre Hopkins expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. We have Ertz ranked as a TE1 option and he should be considered right in that tier after the elite guys. Start him.
