Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Isaiah Likely

Wednesday, December 3, 11:54 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz had a monster game in Week 13, recording 10 catches for 106 yards on 13 targets against the Denver Broncos. The 35-year-old has been a stable producer in recent weeks, recording at least four catches and 42 receiving yards in each of his last four games. Perhaps most importantly for Ertz's production upside, Washington could be getting quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) back from injury in the coming weeks, possibly even as soon as Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. Across 23 career games where Ertz has shared the field with Daniels, he's recorded 11 touchdown catches. While Ertz's fantasy value still mostly comes from his stable floor, his touchdown upside skyrockets with Daniels on the field. Ertz could establish himself as a consistent low-end starting fantasy tight end if Daniels does indeed return in early December.

Tuesday, December 2, 11:59 AM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely posted his most productive performance of the season in Week 13, recording five catches for 95 yards on six targets against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the 25-year-old was also responsible for one of the turning points in the game when he coughed up a fumble as he was crossing the goal line, turning a touchdown into a touchback. Still, Likely's increased involvement is a positive sign for fantasy managers. Although he's failed to find the end zone so far this season, Likely recorded six touchdowns on 58 targets across 16 games in 2024 and has shown stretches of red zone chemistry with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout his career. The presence of tight ends Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar in Baltimore limits Likely's upside, as he's played fewer than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in six straight games heading into his Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, in deep fantasy leagues, Likely may be worth stashing off the waiver wire in case an injury to Andrews opens up a significant playing time opportunity in Baltimore.