Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Colston Loveland

Sunday, March 9, 7:04 AM

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Washington Commanders on Saturday. The deal includes up to $9 million in incentives. Ertz returns to the Commanders after a productive season in 2024 as quarterback Jayden Daniels' safety valve, owning 18% of Washington's target share. The three-time Pro Bowler caught 66 of 91 targets for 674 yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games. It was the first time since 2018 that Ertz played an entire season. With the emergence of Dyami Brown in the postseason and the Commanders trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in March, Ertz will have more competition for targets in 2025. Despite competing for targets with Terry McLaurin, Samuel, and Brown, Ertz remains a decent fantasy option at the tight end position. As Daniels' primary middle-of-the-field option, Ertz is a high-end TE2 heading into early best-ball drafts.

Friday, May 9, 10:08 PM

Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) has been unavailable during practice during rookie minicamp while rehabbing from surgery that he had on his shoulder in January. While he's unavailable for on-field work, Loveland is focusing on the mental side of things, learning the offensive scheme and developing chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams. The 21-year-old 10th overall pick in this year's NFL draft is expected to increase his activity by the time mandatory minicamp rolls around early next month, and he should be fully ready to go by training camp this summer as he enters his first year in the NFL. The Bears still have Cole Kmet at the position, but the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Loveland could be Chicago's top pass-catching TE by season's end. As he shares playing time with Kmet in Year 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations in 2025.