Zach Ertz, the Washington Commanders’ veteran tight end, played all 17 games last season for the first time in three years, offering streamer-worthy value in fantasy football. As Ertz enters the 2025 season at age 34, his status as a consistent difference-maker has faded, but he remains a potential option for fantasy managers seeking back-end tight end production.
Career Trajectory and Recent Performance Analysis
Between 2016 and 2019, Ertz was a top-tier tight end who consistently ranked among the top four at his position, making a significant fantasy impact. However, from 2020 onward, his production declined sharply. In 2020, nearing 30 years old, he averaged just 7.1 fantasy points per game. His nominal rebound in 2021 saw him average 10.6 points per game, still near streamer territory.
In 2022, before an ACL tear cut his season short, Ertz improved slightly, posting 11.6 points per game. This injury initially cast doubt on his fantasy viability going forward. Ertz began the 2023 campaign on the field but managed only 7.1 points per game before another injury ended his season prematurely in Week 7.
Despite these setbacks, Ertz returned to play all 17 games last year, finishing as the ninth-ranked tight end overall with a 10.4 PPG average. His role now is largely that of a catch-and-fall-down receiver, a shift from his peak years but still useful in a position that frequently lacks dependable options.
End-of-Season Surge and Overall Position Strength
There are two key reasons Ertz remains relevant in the 2025 fantasy landscape. First, his strong finish last season, highlighted by his NFL playoff performances, where he recorded five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round, followed by an 11-catch, 104-yard game on 16 targets during the NFC Championship. His snap counts of 87% and 90% in those games underscore his role as a critical offensive weapon late in the year.
Second, the tight end position overall remains top-heavy, with only about five to six players capable of averaging 12 or more points per game in a given season. In 2024, just six tight ends reached that level, while ten others fell between roughly 9 and 11 points per game. This scarcity means securing a tight end who can regularly produce above 12 points offers a significant edge, but targeting players who fall short of that mark is often not worthwhile.
Ertz’s production places him within the range of 9-10 PPG, which can usually be found on the waiver wire or late in drafts. His current average draft position around the 20th tight end, or last rounds of drafts, reflects this reality, making him more of a streaming option than a priority pick.
Expert Insight: Frank Ammirante’s Evaluation of Ertz’s 2025 Outlook
Fantasy analyst Frank Ammirante notes that Ertz turned back the clock last season by catching 66 of 91 targets for 654 yards and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable safety valve for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, Ammirante emphasizes Ertz’s age, entering his 35th year, and limited ability to generate yards after catch, which tempers expectations for growth or breakout performances.
Still, Ammirante suggests Ertz can serve as a valuable TE3 option in Best Ball formats, especially when paired with other Washington Commanders players. Being targeted 80-plus times adds consistency, and in full PPR leagues, his volume of receptions compensates for limited big-play potential. Additionally, second-year tight end Ben Sinnott has not yet made a significant impact, leaving Ertz as the dependable veteran likely to retain significant playing time.
What Fantasy Managers Should Expect and How to Use Ertz in 2025
Given the current tight end landscape and Ertz’s diminished but steady role, he is best viewed as a late-round draft pick or a waiver wire option. Fantasy managers aiming to build competitive rosters should seek tight ends with upside for 12 or more points per game and use players like Ertz as fallback options or streaming candidates when better starters are unavailable.
Drafting Ertz earlier carries little advantage because his expected production ceiling rarely justifies investing mid-round picks. Instead, managers can easily acquire him late or pick him up during the season if injuries or opportunity arise within the Commanders’ offense. This approach aligns with practical draft strategy and the tight end position’s usual volatility.
This assessment of Zach Ertz’s fantasy prospects highlights the balance between his veteran reliability and dwindling upside. While he will not be a league-winning tight end, his role as a serviceable, high-floor player makes him relevant in the right contexts heading into the 2025 NFL season.