Zach Ertz, playing all 17 games in a single season for the first time in three years with the Washington Commanders, showed flashes that made him a viable streamer option for fantasy football managers. However, as he enters the 2025 season, the veteran tight end is unlikely to return to the status of a top-tier fantasy asset, prompting the question: is drafting Ertz worth considering this year?
Ertz’s fantasy football outlook reflects his transition from a high-impact player to more of a role player who can occasionally provide serviceable production in a generally shallow position.
Historical Performance and Career Trajectory
Between 2016 and 2019, Zach Ertz consistently ranked as one of the top four tight ends in fantasy football, making him a reliable difference-maker. His value plummeted starting in 2020 when, nearing 30 years old, his average fell to 7.1 fantasy points per game. A modest rebound occurred in 2021 with 10.6 points per game, still only streamer-level production, followed by a slight improvement to 11.6 points per game in 2022 before a mid-season ACL tear.
Many assumed Ertz’s fantasy relevance had ended after that injury, but he rehabilitated enough to return for the 2023 season. Unfortunately, his impact was diminished, averaging 7.1 points per game before sustaining another injury in Week 7. Entering 2024 at age 34, his chances of becoming a significant fantasy factor once more appeared slim.
Current Productivity and Positional Value
Although Zach Ertz can no longer be expected to produce at the 13-plus points per game level he once did, he has not been priced or drafted as such. The gap between a mid-round tight end averaging around 10 points and a pickup-level player is significant. Ertz’s recent role amounts more to a “catch-and-fall-down receiver,” which can still suffice in a tight end group where elite options are scarce.
In 2023, Ertz played all 17 games, finishing with an average of 10.4 fantasy points per game and ranking as the ninth-best tight end overall. This production, however, was inconsistent, with eight games under 9.0 points and five performances below 6.0 points.
Reasons for Considering Zach Ertz in 2025 Despite Limitations
There are two primary factors that keep Ertz relevant in fantasy discussions for 2025. First, he ended last season on a strong note—particularly in the playoffs, where he caught 5 passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round, then posted 11 receptions for 104 yards on 16 targets during the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Championship game. He was on the field for nearly 90% of snaps in both contests, demonstrating trust from the coaching staff in crucial moments.
Second, the tight end position still faces a shortage of clear-cut difference-makers. Only six tight ends averaged at least 12 to 13 fantasy points per game last season, while ten others fell between 8.9 and 11.1 points per game. Historically, since 2019, seasons with more than six tight ends hitting 12-plus points are rare, with some years counting only three or four. On average, about five tight ends reach that mark annually.
Strategic Approach to Drafting Tight Ends Like Ertz in 2025
The stark reality is that a tight end delivering 15 or more points per game provides a competitive edge, but drafting a player who is projected around 12 points per game generally isn’t prudent. Fantasy football managers are better off selecting tight ends with upside potential earlier and resorting to streaming options for consistent but lower-tier production. This is precisely the niche Zach Ertz occupies at this stage.
Ertz’s average draft position is around TE20, meaning he can be selected in the final rounds of a draft, making him a low-risk, low-reward option. The recommendation is to draft tight ends who carry potential for upward movement and then use waiver wire strategies or streaming to fill the position if the initial pick does not pan out.
Given that players with Ertz’s profile are readily available on waivers and can produce 9 to 10 points per game, there is little incentive to reach for him on draft day.
What to Expect From Zach Ertz Next Season
While Ertz no longer poses as a high-impact fantasy starter, his ability to remain active throughout a full season and contribute occasional productive stretches keeps him on the fantasy radar, albeit on the fringe. Managers who choose to draft him must accept the likelihood that his fantasy value will be as a bench player or a streaming alternative rather than a consistent weekly starter.
In summary, for fantasy football enthusiasts weighing whether Zach Ertz is worth drafting in 2025, the outlook suggests he should be regarded as a low-cost depth option rather than a core tight end. His role will likely be to provide spot starts or fill in during bye weeks and injuries, rather than lead a fantasy roster.