Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Ferguson vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jake Ferguson and Zach Ertz are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Jake Ferguson

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

8.7 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Ferguson is producing at 40% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jake Ferguson vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jake Ferguson finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG over 17 games with the Dallas Cowboys, while Zach Ertz clocked in at 7.8 across 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 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 Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Jake Ferguson is off Week 14 and Zach Ertz Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Jake Ferguson (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?

•Jake Ferguson outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Jake Ferguson is 8 years younger than Zach Ertz (27 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Ferguson vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Ferguson	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	7.8
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	148	101
Receptions	82	50
Rec/Game	4.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	600	504
Rec Yds/Game	35.3	38.8
Receiving TDs	8	4
Targets	102	72
Target Share/Game	6.0	5.5
Age	27	35
Experience	3 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

8.7 PPG for Jake Ferguson versus 7.8 for Zach Ertz in 2025. The baseline favors Jake Ferguson, 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 Jake Ferguson or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 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 Jake Ferguson and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 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 0.9 points per game.

When are Jake Ferguson and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jake Ferguson or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson outscored Zach Ertz by 0.9 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.