Every year, fantasy football managers fall for the same trap: chasing youth over reliability. It’s a trend that has become so prevalent that some veteran players are overlooked every year simply because of their age. That’s why this article series exists: to shine a spotlight on trustworthy veterans who are being unfairly faded in drafts, even though they still have plenty left in the tank.
We’re not here to romanticize the past or defend players just because they’ve been around. The point is to identify sneaky value on the draft board. Those players whose age makes them cheaper, even though their role and performance suggest they can still contribute meaningfully to your fantasy team.
This time, we’ll talk about a TE who feels like he’s been around forever but has remained relevant through a couple of team changes: Zach Ertz, who Andy, Mike, and Jason recently highlighted as an Undrafted Gem in this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast.
Before diving into this respectable elder, don’t forget to check out the UDK+, where you’ll find how the Ballers have Zach Ertz ranked and in which tier. It’s an essential tool for your draft prep this season.
How Is He Being Disrespected?
The mere fact that Zach Ertz was featured in the Undrafted Gems episode tells you everything about the level of respect (or lack thereof) he’s getting from the fantasy community. He’s being drafted as the TE19, even after finishing last season as the TE8 in half-PPR scoring.
Just a few months ago, he was rostered in 85% of leagues. Now, almost nobody wants this veteran on their fantasy roster. Sure, at 34 years old, there may not be tremendous upside, but there are still plenty of reasons to consider taking him with one of your final picks.
A Very Respectable 2024 Season
Last year, Zach Ertz joined the Washington Commanders, and many doubted his ability to contribute at his age. But his arrival wasn’t random. Back in 2021, when Kliff Kingsbury was head coach of the Cardinals, he brought Zach Ertz in midseason, and he finished that year as the TE5. Three years later, as offensive coordinator in Washington, Kingsbury brought this reliable TE in again as a key piece in his offensive system.
Despite his age, Ertz drew 91 targets and ranked 6th among TEs with 66 receptions for 654 yards. He ran routes on 75.8% of passing plays and was third among all TEs in snaps from the slot, which says a lot about his role in this offense. His red zone usage is also a big part of his fantasy relevance.
He ranked fourth among TEs in red zone targets, which explains why he scored seven TDs, his second-highest total ever, and just one shy of George Kittle and Jonnu Smith. There’s a reason he was frequently featured in the Fantasy Footballers’ Weekly Streamers To Consider article last season.
JAYDEN DANIELS AND ZACH ERTZ CALLED GAME IN OT
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/9j6amoE8sr
— ESPN (@espn) December 30, 2024
Possible Signs of Decay
If there’s a place to be concerned, it’s in some of Ertz’s productivity and efficiency metrics. He ranked 31st in target separation and 27th in yards after the catch, which is concerning for a player who once ranked in the top 6 in YAC during his peak years in Philadelphia.
We’ve already highlighted his strong route participation and target volume as positives. Still, he was just 20th in fantasy points per route and 13th in fantasy points per target. That is significantly better than where he’s being drafted, but still worth keeping in mind. That said, it’s clear that both Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury are well aware of Zach Ertz’s age and strengths; they are using him smartly, deploying him where he can make a difference and produce, both in real life and for fantasy purposes.
What to Expect in 2025
There are some changes in Washington this year. Deebo Samuel is joining the team, and while he’s not exactly a youngster either, he will demand his share of targets. There are also some vacated WR targets left by the departure of Olamide Zaccheaus, and Deebo should also take over some of Noah Brown’s targets. Knowing Kingsbury, there will likely be plays specifically designed to take advantage of Deebo’s versatility, including some fun tricks executed from the backfield.
As for TE targets, the biggest threat could be Ben Sinnott, who’s entering his second year – but I wouldn’t be too concerned. Unless we’re talking about rare outliers (and yes, we’ve seen a few lately), TEs usually take longer to develop and adjust to the NFL. This year, Zach Ertz should remain the primary TE option in Kingsbury’s offense.
Conclusion
We can speculate all day about whether Zach Ertz will have another relevant fantasy season. But honestly, at his current price, there’s not much to think about. You can draft him with your very last pick and see what happens. If he performs like he did last year, he’ll be an absolute steal at a zero-risk cost.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/1SF2uoh
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