Week 12 - Ertz vs. Tennessee
Zach Ertz got back on the fantasy radar last week with four catches for 55 yards on six targets. He only played on 35% of the snaps, and on Wednesday, HC Chip Kelly said Ertz is having a hard time staying on the field because Brent Celek is a superior blocker, but can also catch the ball. While it was the most yardage Ertz has produced since Week 2, he's only ranked as a very low-end TE2 this week.
Week 11 - Ertz vs. Green Bay
Zach Ertz had just one catch for 17 yards last week. He played on half the snaps. This week he come out and said he wants to be on the field more, but blocking issues seem to have kept him from more production. While the Eagles line got as healthy as it may be the rest of the season this past week, Ertz watched Brent Celek explode for a huge game in Week 11. This week, Ertz is ranked way down our list coming in as a lower-end TE2 in 10-team leagues. He's not a safe option right now despite the potential being there.
Week 10 - Ertz vs. Carolina
Zach Ertz had a disappointing game for fantasy owners last week, catching just one ball on two targets for four yards in what was a very tough matchup against the Texans. This week things get easier on paper as the Panthers rank 17th in allowing fantasy points to TEs. But Ertz is still a TE2 on our list for Week 10. His schedule is still very friendly starting this week and for the rest of the season, so you may want to see if his numbers climb this week in time for the playoff stretch and keep him around if possible.
Week 9 - Ertz vs. Houston
Zach Ertz caught five balls for 48 yards last week on eight targets. Those have been pretty typical numbers for Ertz since about Week 4. This week he falls out of our top-10 in a tough matchup against the Texans who are fifth in allowing points to TEs. The good news for Ertz owners is he's got a very good schedule the rest of the way.
Week 8 - Ertz vs. Arizona
Zach Ertz caught three balls for 45 yards and a TD back in Week 6. He was targeted five times.
It was his first TD since Week 1, and he's been pretty quiet for the most part during the time in between. A lot more was expected from Ertz from fantasy owners, but a big part of that could be because of the banged up offensive line. Ertz is averaging 56% of the snaps while Brent Celek is getting 70%, likely for his blocking.
This should start to change as the Birds O-line gets more comfortable. And it will eventually get healthier in the next few weeks - and hopefully be at full strength. That could mean we start to see more of Ertz on the stat sheet. And if you take a look at his Strength of Schedule, it's all green from Weeks 12-17.
For this week, though, he's ranked outside our top-10 with just an OK matchup against the Cards who are 15th in allowing fantasy points to TEs.
Week 6 - Ertz vs. NY Giants
Zach Ertz caught three balls for 39 yards last week on six targets. The fantasy numbers just aren't adding up for Ertz like they were the first two weeks of the season. This week, it's a pretty decent matchup against the Giants who are 16th in allowing fantasy points to TEs. Ertz is ranked ninth on our list but clearly hasn't been impressive the last few weeks. His snaps also dropped to 40% last week as the Birds tried to run the ball with a lead and to kill the clock.
Week 5 - Ertz vs. St. Louis
Zach Ertz had four catches for 43 yards on six targets. He's been just OK this year and owners are waiting for that bust-out game after a solid first two weeks.
Ertz gets a pretty good home matchup this week as the Rams are 21st in allowing fantasy points to TEs. Ertz comes in at just 11th this week on our TE list so if you have a better option you may want to consider until we see more from Ertz, QB Nick Foles and the Birds offensive line.
Week 4 - Ertz vs. San Francisco
Zach Ertz was targeted just three times for two catches and 14 yards.
Ertz saw his playing time drop a little last week, likely due to more offensive line issues for the Eagles. C Jason Kelce got hurt and LT Jason Peters was kicked out in the fight leaving TE Brent Celek to help out blocking and thus get more snaps.
With things perhaps more under control this week, and the return of RT Lane Johnson next week, the hope is we see Ertz go back to producing the way he did in Weeks 1 and 2. Still, Ertz is ranked seventh this week on our TE list so he needs to be in lineups even though it's not a great matchup against a 49ers defense that's seventh in allowing fantasy points to TEs. The Birds will likely have to throw a lot this week once again.
Week 3 - Ertz vs. Washington
Ertz had another pretty good game, catching four balls for 86 yards and was targeted six times. He almost had a TD and was wide open but QB Nick Foles threw behind him or we could be talking about a huge fantasy game from Week 2.
Still, Ertz is ranked fifth among our TEs this week in a good matchup against Washington, which ranks 22nd in allowing fantasy points to TEs. He's emerging as a must-play ever week at the position and to this point. Brent Celek hasn't really affected his production with the O-line being banged up.
Week 1 vs Jaguars
Zach Ertz is expected to take a huge leap forward this year. The Eagles will likely get away from the big play aspect of their offense with DeSean Jackson and use more packages with TEs and RB Darren Sproles in the passing game. Any way you look at it, Ertz is poised for a big year and should be one of QB Nick Foles' top targets. Brent Celek is probably going to steal away some of his stats but Ertz is a low-end TE1 at worst but could make for a great TE2 play if your league calls for that.
