Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Tyler Higbee vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Ertz is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Zach Ertz and Tyler Higbee are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

TEWashington Commanders#20PPG LEADER

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Tyler Higbee

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

6.5 PPG7.8 PPG

9 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Tyler Higbee is producing at 30% 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.

Tyler Higbee vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Tyler Higbee (6.5 PPG) and Zach Ertz (7.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Tyler Higbee played 9 games for the Los Angeles Rams; Zach Ertz suited up 13 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 1.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Zach Ertz is the volume tight end in this matchup with 50 receptions for 504 yards, while Tyler Higbee profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Tyler Higbee finds the end zone he out-scores Zach Ertz, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Tyler Higbee sits Week 11 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: Tyler Higbee (age 33) 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?

•Zach Ertz outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Ertz played 13 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. That durability gap means Zach Ertz 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Tyler Higbee vs Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Tyler Higbee	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.5	7.8
Games Played	9	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	59	101
Receptions	25	50
Rec/Game	2.8	3.8
Receiving Yards	281	504
Rec Yds/Game	31.2	38.8
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	36	72
Target Share/Game	4.0	5.5
Age	33	35
Experience	9 yrs	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

7.8 PPG for Zach Ertz versus 6.5 for Tyler Higbee 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 Tyler Higbee or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Ertz has the edge at 7.8 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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 Tyler Higbee and Zach Ertz average in 2025?▾

Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Tyler Higbee and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Tyler Higbee (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Tyler Higbee or Zach Ertz a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Zach Ertz outscored Tyler Higbee 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.