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Head to Head

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

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dalton Schultz is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Dalton Schultz edges Zach Ertz by 0.2 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 Schultz 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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TEHouston Texans#18PPG LEADER
Dalton Schultz
PPG
8.0
Games
17
Rec
82
Rec Yds
777
Rec TDs
3
Targets
106
Bye
Week 8
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 Schultz
Zach Ertz

Head to Head

8.0 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dalton Schultz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #18 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dalton Schultz 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.

Dalton Schultz vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dalton Schultz and Zach Ertz is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 PPG with the Houston Texans across 17 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.

Dalton Schultz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 777 yards, while Zach Ertz profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 50 catches). In weeks where Zach Ertz finds the end zone he out-scores Dalton Schultz, but the floor gap is real.

Dalton Schultz has his bye in Week 8, and Zach Ertz rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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 Schultz (age 29) 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 Schultz outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dalton Schultz played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Dalton Schultz 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.
  • Dalton Schultz saw 106 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • Dalton Schultz is 6 years younger than Zach Ertz (29 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dalton Schultz vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDalton SchultzZach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)8.07.8
Games Played1713
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)136101
Receptions8250
Rec/Game4.83.8
Receiving Yards777504
Rec Yds/Game45.738.8
Receiving TDs34
Targets10672
Target Share/Game6.25.5
Age2935
Experience7 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Dalton Schultz holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 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 Dalton Schultz or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Dalton Schultz has the edge at 8.0 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 Dalton Schultz and Zach Ertz average in 2025?

Dalton Schultz averaged 8.0 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 0.2 points per game.

When are Dalton Schultz and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?

Dalton Schultz (HOU) has a bye in Week 8, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dalton Schultz or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Dalton Schultz outscored Zach Ertz by 0.2 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.

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