Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Hayden Hurst vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 4.1-PPG advantage is real (7.8 to 3.7), and Zach Ertz's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Hayden Hurst 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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TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Hayden Hurst

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

3.7 PPG7.8 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Hayden Hurst is producing at 17% 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.

Hayden Hurst vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Hayden Hurst and Zach Ertz are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG across 14 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG in 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 4.1-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.

Zach Ertz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 504 yards, while Hayden Hurst profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Hayden Hurst finds the end zone he out-scores Zach Ertz, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Hayden Hurst sits Week 5 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. Hayden Hurst is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Hayden Hurst (age 27) 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 Hayden Hurst by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Hayden Hurst vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Hayden Hurst	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	3.7	7.8
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	52	101
Receptions	25	50
Rec/Game	1.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	238	504
Rec Yds/Game	17.0	38.8
Receiving TDs	1	4
Targets	35	72
Target Share/Game	2.5	5.5
Age	-	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 7

Summary

Zach Ertz outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.1 PPG in 2025 (7.8 to 3.7). 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 Hayden Hurst or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Hayden Hurst and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Hayden Hurst and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Hayden Hurst or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.1 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.