Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Pat Freiermuth vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Ertz is the better play on a neutral week. 7.8 PPG with 504 yards gives a reliable baseline. Pat Freiermuth at 6.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Zach Ertz higher, but do not fade Pat Freiermuth entirely.

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

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TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Pat Freiermuth

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

6.2 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Pat Freiermuth is producing at 28% 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.

Pat Freiermuth vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Pat Freiermuth and Zach Ertz is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end put up 6.2 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Zach Ertz of the Washington Commanders averaged 7.8 in 13. A 1.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.6 points favors Zach Ertz, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Pat Freiermuth had 41 catches for 486 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Pat Freiermuth sits Week 9 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

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: Pat Freiermuth (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 Pat Freiermuth by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Pat Freiermuth played 15 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Pat Freiermuth contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Pat Freiermuth 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.
•Pat Freiermuth is 8 years younger than Zach Ertz (27 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Pat Freiermuth vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Pat Freiermuth	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.2	7.8
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	93	101
Receptions	41	50
Rec/Game	2.7	3.8
Receiving Yards	486	504
Rec Yds/Game	32.4	38.8
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	54	72
Target Share/Game	3.6	5.5
Age	27	35
Experience	4 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 7

Summary

7.8 PPG for Zach Ertz versus 6.2 for Pat Freiermuth in 2025. The baseline favors Zach Ertz, 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 Pat Freiermuth or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 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 1.6 points per game.

When are Pat Freiermuth and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Pat Freiermuth or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Pat Freiermuth by 1.6 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.