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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has had a slow start to the season, with 10 catches for 163 yards in the first six games, but he played a season-high 42 snaps in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had three catches (on six targets) for 13 yards in the game. Brent Celek is still in the mix at tight end for the Eagles, but it appears head coach Chip Kelly wants to make Ertz a more prominent part of the passing game regardless of who is under center going forward.
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Philadelphia’s upcoming schedule has some favorable matchups coming, starting in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys enter the week allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends (12.0 per game, ESPN scoring), including the most receptions (45) to the position. After that three of the Eagles’ next four opponents (New York Giants-Week 8, Green Bay Packers-Week 10, Washington Redskins-Week 11) come into Week 7 in the bottom half of the league against tight ends (ESPN scoring). Philadelphia’s Week 9 opponent, the Oakland Raiders , allowed a tight end touchdown in each of their first three games and at least 66 yards to the position in their following two games. So if not for allowing just one catch for nine yards to the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight ends in Week 6, the Raiders would likely be in the bottom half of the league against tight ends as well.
Ertz belongs on the radar as a potential TE2 in 12 and 14-team leagues, but he has to continue his positive playing time trend and up his production before becoming a top waiver wire addition. Celek’s presence puts a ceiling on his upside at this point, but anyone who seeks tight end depth or a potential plug-and-play for Week 7 in very deep leagues could consider Ertz as an option.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
