Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.5 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Tonges is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jake Tonges edges Zach Ertz by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jake Tonges goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Jake Tonges and Zach Ertz in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TESan Francisco 49ers#15PPG LEADER

Jake Tonges

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

293

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

Jake Tonges

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

8.5 PPG7.8 PPG

9 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Tonges: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #15 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Jake Tonges is producing at 39% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Jake Tonges carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jake Tonges vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jake Tonges finished the 2025 season at 8.5 PPG over 9 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Zach Ertz clocked in at 7.8 across 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.7-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.

Zach Ertz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 504 yards, while Jake Tonges profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (5 scores on 34 catches). In weeks where Jake Tonges finds the end zone he out-scores Zach Ertz, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Jake Tonges is off Week 8 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 Tonges (age 26) 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 Tonges outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Jake Tonges's 9. That durability gap means Zach Ertz contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jake Tonges scored 5 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.
•Jake Tonges is 9 years younger than Zach Ertz (26 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Tonges vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Tonges	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.5	7.8
Games Played	9	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	101
Receptions	34	50
Rec/Game	3.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	293	504
Rec Yds/Game	32.6	38.8
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	46	72
Target Share/Game	5.1	5.5
Age	26	35
Experience	3 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jake Tonges holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 points per game. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Jake Tonges vs Zach Ertz

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Jake Tonges vs Zach Ertz

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jake Tonges or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Tonges has the edge at 8.5 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 Tonges and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Jake Tonges averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

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

Jake Tonges (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 Jake Tonges or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jake Tonges outscored Zach Ertz by 0.7 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.