Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brenton Strange vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.9 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Brenton Strange and Zach Ertz are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19PPG LEADER

Brenton Strange

PPG

7.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Brenton Strange

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

7.9 PPG7.8 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Brenton Strange vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Brenton Strange and Zach Ertz is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG with the Jacksonville Jaguars across 12 games, and Zach Ertz posted 7.8 with the Washington Commanders in 13.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Brenton Strange had 46 catches for 540 yards; Zach Ertz posted 50 for 504. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Brenton Strange (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Brenton Strange outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Ertz scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Zach Ertz saw 72 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Brenton Strange is 10 years younger than Zach Ertz (25 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brenton Strange vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brenton Strange	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	7.8
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	101
Receptions	46	50
Rec/Game	3.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	540	504
Rec Yds/Game	45.0	38.8
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	60	72
Target Share/Game	5.0	5.5
Age	25	35
Experience	2 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

7.9 PPG for Brenton Strange versus 7.8 for Zach Ertz in 2025. The baseline favors Brenton Strange, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brenton Strange has the edge at 7.9 PPG compared to Zach Ertz's 7.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Brenton Strange and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

Do Brenton Strange and Zach Ertz share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Brenton Strange and Zach Ertz share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Brenton Strange or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange outscored Zach Ertz by 0.1 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.