Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Travis Kelce vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.1 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Travis Kelce is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Travis Kelce edges Zach Ertz by 1.3 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, Travis Kelce 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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TEKansas City Chiefs#10PPG LEADER

Travis Kelce

PPG

9.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

851

Rec TDs

Targets

108

Bye

Week 5

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Travis Kelce

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

9.1 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Travis Kelce is producing at 41% of elite pace and Zach Ertz at 35%. That ranking gap means Travis Kelce carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Travis Kelce vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG with the Kansas City Chiefs across 17 games, and Zach Ertz posted 7.8 with the Washington Commanders in 13.

When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Travis Kelce is the volume tight end in this matchup with 76 receptions for 851 yards, while Zach Ertz profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (4 scores on 50 catches). In weeks where Zach Ertz finds the end zone he out-scores Travis Kelce, but the floor gap is real.

Travis Kelce has his bye in Week 5, and Zach Ertz rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Travis Kelce outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Travis Kelce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Travis Kelce scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Travis Kelce saw 108 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Travis Kelce vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Travis Kelce	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.1	7.8
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	155	101
Receptions	76	50
Rec/Game	4.5	3.8
Receiving Yards	851	504
Rec Yds/Game	50.1	38.8
Receiving TDs	5	4
Targets	108	72
Target Share/Game	6.4	5.5
Age	36	35
Experience	12 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Travis Kelce holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.1 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Travis Kelce has the edge at 9.1 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 Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 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 1.3 points per game.

When are Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Travis Kelce outscored Zach Ertz by 1.3 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.