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Dalton Kincaid vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dalton Kincaid is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.9 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Kincaid is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Dalton Kincaid edges Zach Ertz by 1.1 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, Dalton Kincaid 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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TEBuffalo Bills#11PPG LEADER
Dalton Kincaid
PPG
8.9
Games
12
Rec
39
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
49
Bye
Week 7
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
Dalton Kincaid
Zach Ertz

Head to Head

8.9 PPG7.8 PPG
12 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Kincaid: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #11 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Kincaid is producing at 40% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Dalton Kincaid carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dalton Kincaid vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Dalton Kincaid finished the 2025 season at 8.9 PPG over 12 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Zach Ertz clocked in at 7.8 across 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dalton Kincaid had 39 catches for 571 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Dalton Kincaid (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?

  • Dalton Kincaid outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Dalton Kincaid's 12. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Dalton Kincaid scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 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.
  • Dalton Kincaid is 9 years younger than Zach Ertz (26 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Kincaid vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDalton KincaidZach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)8.97.8
Games Played1213
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)107101
Receptions3950
Rec/Game3.33.8
Receiving Yards571504
Rec Yds/Game47.638.8
Receiving TDs54
Targets4972
Target Share/Game4.15.5
Age2635
Experience2 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dalton Kincaid holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.9 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 Dalton Kincaid or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Kincaid has the edge at 8.9 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 Dalton Kincaid and Zach Ertz average in 2025?

Dalton Kincaid averaged 8.9 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 1.1 points per game.

Do Dalton Kincaid and Zach Ertz share a bye week?

Yes, both Dalton Kincaid 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 Dalton Kincaid or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dalton Kincaid outscored Zach Ertz by 1.1 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.