Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Oronde Gadsden II vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Zach Ertz edges Oronde Gadsden II 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, Zach Ertz 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 Oronde Gadsden II and Zach Ertz in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TELos Angeles Chargers#23

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Oronde Gadsden II

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

7.1 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Oronde Gadsden II is producing at 32% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Oronde Gadsden II vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Oronde Gadsden II finished the 2025 season at 7.1 PPG over 15 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, 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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Oronde Gadsden II had 49 catches for 664 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at tight end for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) 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 Oronde Gadsden II by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Oronde Gadsden II played 15 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Oronde Gadsden II 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.
•Oronde Gadsden II is 13 years younger than Zach Ertz (22 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Oronde Gadsden II vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Oronde Gadsden II	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.1	7.8
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	107	101
Receptions	49	50
Rec/Game	3.3	3.8
Receiving Yards	664	504
Rec Yds/Game	44.3	38.8
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	69	72
Target Share/Game	4.6	5.5
Age	22	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Zach Ertz holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.8 points per game. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II 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 Oronde Gadsden II 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 Oronde Gadsden II or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

Do Oronde Gadsden II and Zach Ertz share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Oronde Gadsden II and Zach Ertz share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at tight end for that week.

Is Oronde Gadsden II or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Oronde Gadsden II 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.