Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chig Okonkwo vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Chig Okonkwo's 5.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.2-PPG advantage is real (7.8 to 5.6), and Zach Ertz's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Chig Okonkwo 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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TETennessee Titans#31

Chig Okonkwo

PPG

5.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

560

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Chig Okonkwo

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

5.6 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Chig Okonkwo: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #31 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Chig Okonkwo is producing at 25% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Zach Ertz carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chig Okonkwo vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Chig Okonkwo and Zach Ertz are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 PPG across 17 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG in 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 2.2-PPG gap gives Zach Ertz the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Chig Okonkwo had 56 catches for 560 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.

One scheduling note: Chig Okonkwo is off Week 9 and Zach Ertz Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Chig Okonkwo (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Zach Ertz outscored Chig Okonkwo by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chig Okonkwo played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Chig Okonkwo 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.
•Chig Okonkwo saw 79 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Chig Okonkwo is 9 years younger than Zach Ertz (26 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chig Okonkwo vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chig Okonkwo	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.6	7.8
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	101
Receptions	56	50
Rec/Game	3.3	3.8
Receiving Yards	560	504
Rec Yds/Game	32.9	38.8
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	79	72
Target Share/Game	4.6	5.5
Age	26	35
Experience	3 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 7

Summary

Zach Ertz outscored Chig Okonkwo by 2.2 PPG in 2025 (7.8 to 5.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Chig Okonkwo or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Chig Okonkwo's 5.6 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 Chig Okonkwo and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Chig Okonkwo averaged 5.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Chig Okonkwo and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chig Okonkwo (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chig Okonkwo or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Chig Okonkwo by 2.2 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.