Zach Ertz Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Ertz overcame injury concerns to post 66 catches, 654 yards, and seven TDs in 17 games last year. Each mark ranked top 11 among TEs.

He finished eighth among TEs in total PPR points, dropping to 11th in points per game.

Usage & Role

Ertz finished with a solid 77% route rate. Only ten TEs beat that mark.

He ranked second at the position in red zone target share (30.9%). Meanwhile, only three TEs topped his nine end zone targets.

Overall, the 34-year-old ranked 12th among TEs in target share (18%). He finished second on the team with 91 targets, behind Terry McLaurin (117) and far ahead of No. 3 finisher Olamide Zaccheaus (64).

Efficiency Metrics

Ertz delivered on TD efficiency. He scored on all six receptions inside the 10-yard line.

The former Eagle added a strong 75.7% catch rate – well above his career average. However, he underwhelmed with 1.32 yards per route run and 2.8 yards after the catch per reception. Those marks ranked 23rd and 25th, respectively, among 33 qualifying TEs.

Offensive Context

Ertz capitalized on a special season from QB Jayden Daniels. His offense ranked top seven in points, yards, and plays.

Ertz also benefited from a lack of pass-catching depth. Washington lacked a steady WR behind Terry McLaurin, while pass-catching RB Austin Ekeler missed five games with a pair of concussions.

Lastly, the Commanders didn’t get any return on Round 2 TE Ben Sinnott. He totaled five catches in four games.

Injury History

Ertz suffered a Week 15 concussion but didn’t miss a game. That was his third documented concussion.

Ultimately, 2024 marked a much different result on the injury front. Ertz missed 7 games with an ACL/MCL tear in 2022. In 2023, a quad injury forced ten absences.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

In March, Washington re-signed Ertz to a one-year deal worth $6.25 million (nearly $6 million guaranteed). 2025 marks his 13th NFL season.

He’ll return to a starting role ahead of second-year TE Ben Sinnott and blocking TE John Bates.

Expect Ertz to drop to third in targets, though. WR Terry McLaurin returns, and the team swung a deal for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel. We’ll see if Samuel can assemble a healthy 2025, but his addition at least makes it tougher for Ertz to repeat his 2024.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

OC Kliff Kingsbury returns for his second season.

In 2024, Washington TEs saw a combined 21% target share. That ranked mid-pack league-wide but marked a noticeable increase from Kingsbury’s Arizona days.

The offensive continuity should benefit both Ertz and Jayden Daniels, whose play could reach another level in Year 2.

Production & Efficiency Trends

Ertz turns 35 in November. Our historical aging curves show that, on average, age-35 TEs perform at 63% of their fantasy peak.

Of course, Ertz beat the odds by making it this far into his NFL career. Despite decline risk, expect him to remain fantasy relevant in 2025.