Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

George Kittle is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 625 yards gives a reliable baseline. Zach Ertz at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft George Kittle higher, but do not fade Zach Ertz entirely.

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

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

12.1 PPG7.8 PPG

11 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, George Kittle is producing at 55% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means George Kittle carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

George Kittle vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between George Kittle and Zach Ertz is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The San Francisco 49ers tight end put up 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 11 games; Zach Ertz of the Washington Commanders averaged 7.8 in 13. A 4.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.3 points favors George Kittle, 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. George Kittle had 57 catches for 628 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: George Kittle sits Week 8 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

George Kittle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Zach Ertz is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	7.8
Games Played	11	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	101
Receptions	57	50
Rec/Game	5.2	3.8
Receiving Yards	628	504
Rec Yds/Game	57.1	38.8
Receiving TDs	7	4
Targets	69	72
Target Share/Game	6.3	5.5
Age	32	35
Experience	8 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

12.1 PPG for George Kittle versus 7.8 for Zach Ertz in 2025. The baseline favors George Kittle, 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 George Kittle or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 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 George Kittle and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are George Kittle and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) 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 George Kittle or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

George Kittle outscored Zach Ertz by 4.3 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.