Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Cade Otton


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Zach Ertz News

Zach Ertz Cleared for Football Activities, Wants to Play in 2026

Tuesday, August 4, 5:51 PM

Former Eagles, Cardinals, and Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (knee) has been cleared for football activities and wants to play in the 2026 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ertz suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during Week 14 last season, marking his second ACL tear. He was seen catching passes from former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck at Stanford, where they played together in 2010 and 2011. If Ertz suits up for the 2026 season, he will be 36 years old, in his 14th NFL season, and coming off a late-season ACL injury that looked gruesome. Fantasy managers should lower expectations for the veteran tight end. While we're unclear about any exact landing spots for Ertz in 2026, wherever he goes will have fantasy implications that affect fantasy drafts this season.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.3 0.0 0.0 3.2 31.1 0.2

Cade Otton News

Cade Otton Could Become Underneath Threat in New Bucs Offense

Saturday, August 8, 8:57 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton had a nice one-handed touchdown catch from quarterback Baker Mayfield during a red-zone period in training camp practice on Friday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Otton has an elite catch radius and is a QB-friendly target for the veteran Mayfield, and Dix notes that Otton became a threat underneath on Friday for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Despite injuries to Tampa's receiving corps last year, the 27-year-old Otton failed to take advantage. The former fourth-rounder from the University of Washington did match his career high of 59 receptions, but he produced 572 yards and only one touchdown catch on 81 targets through 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in the NFL. Future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans is gone, but the Bucs still have a capable trio of receivers in Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan, leaving Otton as the No. 4 option for Mayfield. Robinson's new offense could involve Otton more, but for now, he profiles best in fantasy as a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer.


Zach Ertz vs. Cade Otton

Still trying to decide between Ertz and Otton? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Zach Ertz is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Cade Otton is projected to score 7.3 points.