Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Theo Johnson vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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 Theo Johnson by 0.8 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.

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TENew York Giants#24

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Theo Johnson

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

7.0 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Theo Johnson is producing at 32% 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.

Theo Johnson vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Theo Johnson finished the 2025 season at 7.0 PPG over 15 games with the New York Giants, while Zach Ertz clocked in at 7.8 across 13 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.8-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. Theo Johnson had 45 catches for 528 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 scheduling note: Theo Johnson 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: Theo Johnson (age 25) 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 Theo Johnson by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Theo Johnson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Theo Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Theo Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Theo Johnson saw 74 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
•Theo Johnson is 10 years younger than Zach Ertz (25 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Theo Johnson vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Theo Johnson	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	7.8
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	105	101
Receptions	45	50
Rec/Game	3.0	3.8
Receiving Yards	528	504
Rec Yds/Game	35.2	38.8
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	74	72
Target Share/Game	4.9	5.5
Age	25	35
Experience	1 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Zach Ertz holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.8 points per game. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Theo Johnson or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Theo Johnson's 7.0 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 Theo Johnson and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 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 0.8 points per game.

When are Theo Johnson and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Theo Johnson (NYG) 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 Theo Johnson or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Theo Johnson by 0.8 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.