Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gunnar Helm vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.4-PPG advantage is real (7.8 to 4.4), and Zach Ertz's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Gunnar Helm is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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TETennessee Titans#40

Gunnar Helm

PPG

4.4

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

357

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Gunnar Helm

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

4.4 PPG7.8 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Gunnar Helm: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #40 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Gunnar Helm is producing at 20% 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.

Gunnar Helm vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Gunnar Helm and Zach Ertz are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 PPG across 16 games with the Tennessee Titans, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG in 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 3.4-PPG gap gives Zach Ertz the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Gunnar Helm had 44 catches for 357 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: Gunnar Helm sits Week 9 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

If you can acquire Zach Ertz at a discount because your league-mates undervalue tight end production, do it. Gunnar Helm is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Gunnar Helm (age 23) 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?

•Zach Ertz outscored Gunnar Helm by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gunnar Helm played 16 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Gunnar Helm 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.
•Zach Ertz saw 72 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Gunnar Helm is 12 years younger than Zach Ertz (23 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gunnar Helm vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gunnar Helm	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.4	7.8
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	101
Receptions	44	50
Rec/Game	2.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	357	504
Rec Yds/Game	22.3	38.8
Receiving TDs	2	4
Targets	55	72
Target Share/Game	3.4	5.5
Age	23	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 7

Summary

Zach Ertz outscored Gunnar Helm by 3.4 PPG in 2025 (7.8 to 4.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gunnar Helm or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Gunnar Helm's 4.4 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 Gunnar Helm and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Gunnar Helm averaged 4.4 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 3.4 points per game.

When are Gunnar Helm and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gunnar Helm (TEN) has a bye in Week 9, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gunnar Helm or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Gunnar Helm by 3.4 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.