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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

James Cook or Zach ErtzWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Cook over Zach Ertz in 2026.

James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 to Zach Ertz's 7.8, a 9.0 point per game edge. Cook also stayed healthier, playing 17 games to 13, which steadies his weekly floor. James Cook is Tier 2 among running backs, Zach Ertz is Tier 2 among tight ends.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Cook (16.8 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Zach Ertz (7.8 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

16.8 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

James Cook vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Comparing James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) against Zach Ertz (TE, Washington Commanders) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG across 13 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook 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: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 153 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means James Cook contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Zach Ertz caught 50 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•James Cook is 9 years younger than Zach Ertz (26 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Cook vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Cook	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	7.8
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	101
Rushing Yards	1,621	0
Rush Yds/Game	95.4	0.0
Rushing TDs	12	0
Receptions	33	50
Receiving Yards	291	504
Targets	40	72
Total TDs	14	4
Age	26	35
Experience	3 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 7.8 for Zach Ertz in 2025. The baseline favors James Cook, 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 James Cook or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 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.

Should I draft James Cook or Zach Ertz in 2026 fantasy football?▾

They come off the board at different positions, so weigh James Cook's 16.8 fantasy points per game against Zach Ertz's 7.8 and what your roster still needs at TE. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did James Cook and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 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 9.0 points per game.

Do James Cook and Zach Ertz share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Cook and Zach Ertz share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.