Week 1 at Atlanta
Injuries and the emergence of teammate Dallas Goedert have Zach Ertz stock sliding over the last year. He is considered the second tight on Philly right now and will have to earn the trust of the fantasy owners this season.
It's a great matchup this week against the Falcons who were ranked 29th in aFPA to tight ends in 2020. Just wonder how much Ertz will be used. He does have value but only as a TE2 for Week 1.
Week 16 at Dallas
It's been a steady climb for Zach Ertz returning from injury. He had seven targets last week, the most since he has been back. Ertz only had two receptions but it did produce 69 yards. Dallas Goedert is still seeing more time on the field and that hurts Ertz in the long run, but if he keeps getting those targets, he can be an asset.
Ertz faces Dallas who is ranked 5th in aFPA to tight ends. He missed the first game against the Cowboys this season but has had success in the past against them.
We aren't quite ready to put Ertz in the starting lineup, but he is getting better every week and is now a TE2 for Week 16.
Week 13 at Green Bay
Zach Ertz is off the IR, but he has still been limited in practice. He could play on Sunday but expect the Eagles to limit his snaps. For now, he ranks a TE2 and should remain on your bench for another week.
Week 6 vs. Baltimore
Zach Ertz is in a slump with five catches for 11 yards over the last two games. Don't underestimate the impact Dallas Goedert had when he was healthy, taking away attention from Ertz. The offense hasn't been great for the Eagles but Ertz is usually immune to that.
Next up is Baltimore who is 17th in aFPA to tight ends. With the neutral matchup, we expect Ertz to get back on track. Start him in all leagues and formats as a TE1 against the Ravens. Even if the Philly offense isn't efficient, Ertz is still due for a big game.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh
The Eagles won last week, but Zach Ertz had one of his worst fantasy outings of his career. He managed only four receptions for 9 yards against a very good San Francisco defense. It probably didn't help that Dallas Goedert is out which means even more attention to Ertz.
Ertz will face the Steelers who are 14th in aFPA to tight ends. The inefficiency of the Philly offense is still a mystery but a lot it surrounds QB Carson Wentz. Until he gets right, Ertz's value takes a blow.
Still start Ertz as a TE1 for Week 4. He will probably bounce back with better numbers, but he is not a definite top 5 tight end as he has been in the past and his numbers so far don't even put him in the top 10 for fantasy.
Week 4 at San Francisco
Zach Ertz had season-highs in everything last week. The only negative was he didn't score a touchdown. But for him to be back in double-digit targets makes his owners hopeful. The biggest issue for Ertz is the play of QB Carson Wentz. The passing game for Philly hasn't been strong, but maybe Ertz's performance will be able to play above that level like last week.
Ertz faces San Francisco who is ninth in aFPA to tight ends. The other tight end Dallas Goedert is out so that could mean even more targets for Ertz, even if the matchup is not favorable.
Start Ertz as a top 5 tight end for Week 4. The absence of Goedert is huge for Ertz owners because the offense will be built more around him. Expect a 10 reception game.
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati
Zach Ertz has been consistent the first two games with seven targets in each one. The problem is that is a low number for him and the production hasn't been very good with eight receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown combined. Those aren't Zach Ertz numbers. Part of the problem has been QB Carson Wentz and his inconsistent play and the Eagles offense as a whole looks lost.
This would a good week for Ertz to start putting up some big numbers against a below-average Bengals defense. Cincy is ranked 18th in aFPA to tight ends so the matchup is very favorable.
Start Ertz in all leagues and formats as he is definitely a top 5 fantasy tight end for Week 3. There is hope that Cincinnati will help cure some of the Philadelphia's offensive woes and thay would mean a big day from Ertz.
Week 2 vs Los Angeles Rams
Zach Ertz did score a touchdown, but the rest of numbers were subpar. Despite being targetted 7 times, he only ended up with 3 catches. It was an off-day for the Eagles offense has QB Carson Wentz struggled in the second half.
Ertz will face the Rams who are 26th in aFPA to tight ends. He usually bounces back nicely so with the favorable match-up, expect him to have much better numbers against LA.
Start Ertz as a solid TE1 for Week 2. It's hard to think Ertz will have back-to-back games with little impact. Should be a better day for the Eagles offense against a decent defense.
Week 1 at Washington
Zach Ertz continues to be a top-five tight end and still has the ability to be the highest-scoring fantasy tight end on any given week. After his record-breaking season where he caught 116 passes, he still had the second-best total of his career last season with 88. It seems he still QB Carson Wentz's favorite target.
Ertz will face the Washington Football Team who were ranked 27th in aFPA to tight ends last season. He did not have big games against them in 2019 but still managed 10 receptions in the two meetings.
Ertz will have a good game to start 2020. Many people love him, especially in PPR leagues. Start Ertz as a top 5 tight end, which will be common for him all season long.
Fantasy Upside
Zach Ertz has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL over the past several seasons. That should be the case in 2020. Ertz is the Eagles No. 1 target in the passing game. He had 135 targets with 88 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 14 fantasy points per game last season which made it three straight seasons. His quarterback stayed healthy in 2019 which obviously helps any receiver. The Eagles focus their offense around their talented tight ends which is another reason Ertz has so much value.
Fantasy Downside
Ertz will be 30 this season although there are no signs he will slow down at this point in his career. And although there is little doubt he is the top tight end on Philly, Dallas Goedert's presence will take targets away from Ertz is certain games. Even though his 2019 numbers were good, he fell back from his record-setting 2018 season.
2020 Bottom Line
Ertz is a top-five fantasy tight end again in all formats. Expect around 82 catches for 870 yards which means he will be slightly down from last season. We don't expect as many targets in 2020, but Ertz will still be Carson's Wentz's No. 1 passing game option. He has an ADP of 39 which is right where he should be taken. He isn't at the same level as Travis Kelce or George Kittle, but just a tier below.
