Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Ian Thomas

Friday, November 28, 9:27 PM

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has recorded exactly four receptions in four games in a row and continues to be a solid contributor in his age-35 season. Since recording zero receptions in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers for the first time in a game since 2014, Ertz has collected 25 receptions (36 targets) for 238 yards and two touchdowns. His 25 receptions are tied for the 12th most among tight ends during that span. The veteran hasn't found the end zone since Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys, and remains a lower-ceiling fantasy option due to his lack of explosiveness, but he has a stable floor as a reliable option in Washington's passing attack. Ertz has a tough matchup in Week 13 against an elite Denver Broncos defense and ranks as RotoBaller's TE17 in PPR leagues.

Tuesday, March 25, 1:32 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Ian Thomas (calf) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Thomas will head to the AFC West after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after they selected him in the fourth round (101st overall) in the 2018 NFL draft out of Indiana. The 28-year-old never really established himself as a fantasy asset in Carolina, with his best season coming in his rookie campaign with a 36-333-2 line on 49 targets in 16 games (six starts). Thomas landed on Injured Reserve in 2024 with a calf injury and only caught three of six targets for seven yards in five games (two starts). He scored four touchdowns in his first three seasons but hasn't found the end zone since. In Vegas, he'll provide TE depth behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and will remain off the fantasy radar.