Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Elijah Arroyo

Friday, September 5, 7:43 PM

Washington Commanders veteran tight end Zach Ertz returns for a second season with the team, looking to remain a reliable target for young quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 1 against the Giants. Ertz turned back the clock a bit in his age-34 season, racking up 66 catches for 654 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. His efficiency in particular rebounded significantly, with his 7.2 yards per target being the highest in a season since 2018. He served as a safety blanket for his young quarterback, consistently getting open in the red zone and on third downs. Ertz has spoken incredibly highly of Daniels since they've been together, comparing him to his former Stanford teammate, Andrew Luck. The ceiling isn't very high for Ertz in fantasy this season, but he is a safe and projectable option to pair with an upside bet at tight end late in drafts. He should be viewed as a low-end TE1 for the season opener on Sunday.

Friday, September 5, 2:27 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo has a golden opportunity in front of him. With no established No. 1 tight end in the offense, Arroyo could step into that role early. Arroyo is an athletic freak whom the Seahawks selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His usage in Week 1 should be monitored. He is not someone worth throwing into your lineup this early, but if you have an extra roster spot to play with, he is a worthy stash. His volume and subsequent fantasy value could grow as the season wears on.