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Head to Head

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Brock Bowers vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brock Bowers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.0 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brock Bowers is the better fantasy play this season.

Brock Bowers has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.2-PPG advantage is real (12.0 to 7.8), and Brock Bowers's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Zach Ertz is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TELas Vegas Raiders#4PPG LEADER
Brock Bowers
PPG
12.0
Games
12
Rec
64
Rec Yds
680
Rec TDs
7
Targets
86
Bye
Week 13
TEWashington Commanders#20
Zach Ertz
PPG
7.8
Games
13
Rec
50
Rec Yds
504
Rec TDs
4
Targets
72
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Brock Bowers
Zach Ertz

Head to Head

12.0 PPG7.8 PPG
12 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Brock Bowers: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #4 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brock Bowers is producing at 55% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Brock Bowers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brock Bowers vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Two tight ends who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.0 fantasy points per game in 12 games. Zach Ertz (Washington Commanders) came in at 7.8 PPG over 13 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Brock Bowers carries a 4.2-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Brock Bowers had 64 catches for 680 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brock Bowers sits Week 13 while Zach Ertz is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Brock Bowers at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Zach Ertz is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Brock Bowers (age 23) 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?

  • Brock Bowers outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Brock Bowers's 12. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Brock Bowers scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Brock Bowers saw 86 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Brock Bowers is 12 years younger than Zach Ertz (23 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brock Bowers vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBrock BowersZach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)12.07.8
Games Played1213
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)144101
Receptions6450
Rec/Game5.33.8
Receiving Yards680504
Rec Yds/Game56.738.8
Receiving TDs74
Targets8672
Target Share/Game7.25.5
Age2335
Experience1 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Brock Bowers holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.0 points per game. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brock Bowers or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Brock Bowers has the edge at 12.0 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 Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz average in 2025?

Brock Bowers averaged 12.0 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 4.2 points per game.

When are Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?

Brock Bowers (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brock Bowers or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Brock Bowers outscored Zach Ertz by 4.2 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.