Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dawson Knox vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Dawson Knox's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz is the better play on a neutral week. 7.8 PPG with 504 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dawson Knox at 5.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Zach Ertz higher, but do not fade Dawson Knox entirely.

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

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TEBuffalo Bills#33

Dawson Knox

PPG

5.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

417

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Dawson Knox

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

5.4 PPG7.8 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dawson Knox: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #33 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Dawson Knox 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.

Dawson Knox vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dawson Knox and Zach Ertz is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills tight end put up 5.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Zach Ertz of the Washington Commanders averaged 7.8 in 13. A 2.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.4 points favors Zach Ertz, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Dawson Knox had 36 catches for 417 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.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking tight ends this deep on your bench, plan your replacement tight end early.

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: Dawson Knox (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?

•Zach Ertz outscored Dawson Knox by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dawson Knox played 16 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Dawson Knox contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dawson Knox scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 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.
•Dawson Knox is 6 years younger than Zach Ertz (29 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dawson Knox vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dawson Knox	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	7.8
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	101
Receptions	36	50
Rec/Game	2.3	3.8
Receiving Yards	417	504
Rec Yds/Game	26.1	38.8
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	49	72
Target Share/Game	3.1	5.5
Age	29	35
Experience	6 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

7.8 PPG for Zach Ertz versus 5.4 for Dawson Knox in 2025. The baseline favors Zach Ertz, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dawson Knox or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Dawson Knox's 5.4 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 Dawson Knox and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Dawson Knox averaged 5.4 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 2.4 points per game.

Do Dawson Knox and Zach Ertz share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Dawson Knox 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 Dawson Knox or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Dawson Knox by 2.4 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.