Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Colston Loveland vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Colston Loveland is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Colston Loveland edges Zach Ertz by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Colston Loveland goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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TEChicago Bears#16PPG LEADER

Colston Loveland

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

713

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 10

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Colston Loveland

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

8.5 PPG7.8 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Colston Loveland: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #16 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Colston Loveland is producing at 39% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Colston Loveland carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Colston Loveland vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Colston Loveland (8.5 PPG) and Zach Ertz (7.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Colston Loveland played 16 games for the Chicago Bears; Zach Ertz suited up 13 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Colston Loveland had 58 catches for 713 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: Colston Loveland sits Week 10 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

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: Colston Loveland (age 22) 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?

•Colston Loveland outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Colston Loveland played 16 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Colston Loveland contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Colston Loveland scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Colston Loveland saw 82 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Colston Loveland is 13 years younger than Zach Ertz (22 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Colston Loveland vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Colston Loveland	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	7.8
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	101
Receptions	58	50
Rec/Game	3.6	3.8
Receiving Yards	713	504
Rec Yds/Game	44.6	38.8
Receiving TDs	6	4
Targets	82	72
Target Share/Game	5.1	5.5
Age	22	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Colston Loveland holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 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 Colston Loveland or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Colston Loveland has the edge at 8.5 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 Colston Loveland and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Colston Loveland averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Colston Loveland and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Colston Loveland (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Colston Loveland or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Colston Loveland outscored Zach Ertz by 0.7 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.