Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Zach Ertz was held to just one catch for 10 yards last week against the Bears. It was his worst game as a Cardinal, but it may be an anomaly. The Cardinals attempted just 15 passes in a lopsided victory and relied on their defense to give them a much-needed boost of production.
This week, Ertz faces a Rams defense that ranks 23rd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Expect a bounce-back game from Ertz in a nice matchup in a game that should feature plenty of scoring. We have him ranked as a low-end TE1. Start him.
Week 13 at Chicago Bears
Zach Ertz caught eight balls for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Seahawks before the bye last week. Ertz now has five touchdowns on the season and is second among tight ends in fantasy points since arriving in Arizona. It’s nice to see a career resurgence for the veteran, and that production should only improve with Kyler Murray back under center.
This week, Ertz faces a Bears defense that ranks seventh in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Despite the tough matchup, Ertz’s targets since arriving in Arizona have been steady enough to warrant starting him in most leagues. There aren’t a lot of great tight end options available, so even though the return of DeAndre Hopkins muddies the targets for everyone in Arizona, Ertz is still at least a fringe starter in most leagues.
Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
Zach Ertz caught four of six targets last week for 46 yards against the Panthers. Ertz isn’t lighting the world on fire as a Cardinal, but he’s had 20 targets over his four games with Arizona and is clearly a big part of the offense. That might be enough to make him an every-week fantasy option at the barren wasteland that is the tight end position.
This week, Ertz faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. In a nice matchup, Ertz should be considered a solid starting option in all fantasy leagues that separate the tight end position. Start him.
Week 10 vs. Carolina Panthers
Zach Ertz had a quiet game against the 49ers last week, catching three of his five targets for 27 yards. The Cardinals only threw the ball 27 times in a lopsided victory, so it was good to see Ertz with an 18.5% target share, despite a change at quarterback.
This week, Ertz faces a Panthers defense that ranks 12th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. In the barren wasteland that is the tight end position, he’s worth considering as a fringe starting option, despite question marks at quarterback and not the best matchup. We have him ranked just outside our top 10 tight ends this week.
Week 9 at San Francisco 49ers
Zach Ertz caught all four balls thrown his way for 42 yards against the Packers last week. In two games as a Cardinal, Ertz has nine targets and a touchdown, so fantasy managers should be excited about having another fantasy-relevant player at such a difficult position. Ertz looks like he’s going to be an active part of the offense, even if the Cardinals have been spreading the production around well this season.
This week, Ertz faces a 49ers defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Ertz should continue to see significant targets in this offense and he’s enjoying a bit of a career resurgence after struggling the last couple of years in Philadelphia. We have him ranked right on the edge of TE1 status this week, and he’s worth using in all leagues.
Week 8 vs. Green Bay Packers
Zach Ertz got acclimated to Arizona quickly, catching three of five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Texans last week. He also had a carry for four yards, showing the Cardinals will try to make use of their newest weapon. Ertz has three touchdowns this season and the Cardinals have been explosive offensively, so consistent high-end numbers aren’t out of the question for Ertz, despite the number of mouths to feed in Arizona.
This week, Ertz faces a Green Bay defense that ranks 25th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. It’s a great matchup for him and there’s a good chance we see a third straight week in the end zone. Pick him up off waivers if he’s somehow still available, and we have him ranked as a fringe starter this week.
Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
Zach Ertz caught a touchdown last week as a member of the Eagles, and then was traded on Friday to the Cardinals. Arizona was finally making use of the tight end before Maxx Williams went down with an injury, so Ertz has a good chance to produce in this offense.
Ertz gets a nice matchup to start his Arizona tenure. Only the Jaguars rank lower in aFPA to opposing tight ends than the Texans this season. If you were lucky enough to scoop Ertz up off waiver, or if you’ve been stashing him all along, starting him this week to help you get through the bye might be a good idea. It’s always risky using someone in their first game with a new team, but his upside makes him a fringe TE1 option, ranked just outside our top 10.
Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay
Zach Ertz only had one catch last week for six yards but his fantasy standing immediately gets a boost with teammate Dallas Goedert out. Ertz was a top-five tight end for several seasons and even showed some signs a couple of weeks ago when he was targeted eight times and had six receptions for 60 yards. So the ability is there.
Tampa Bay is up next on Thursday night and is ranked 18th in aFPA to tight ends. Ertz immediately moves into the TE1 slot for fantasy. He should see more targets and better numbers with Goedert out and also be a red-zone target.
Week 5 at Carolina
Zach Ertz keeps moving up the rankings. He was targetted more than Dallas Goedert last week and ended up with 6 catches for 60 yards. He still isn't where he was the last several years but he would be a good pickup for your bench. For Week 5, keep him on the bench as he ranks a TE2.
Week 4 vs. Kansas City
Zach Ertz had his best game of the season and we saw a little of the old Ertz in the process. He had a team-high seven targets that produced four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Although we think Dallas Goedert is the best tight end option, it puts Ertz on the fantasy radar for depth at the position.
Keep him on the bench for Week 4 against the Chiefs despite a below-average KC defense.
