Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Jelani Woods

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.

Tuesday, August 27, 1:18 PM

The Indianapolis Colts placed tight end Jelani Woods (toe) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to his recent toe surgery, according to a source. It's a tough break for Woods, who also missed all of the 2023 campaign due to hamstring issues. The 25-year-old specifically needed surgery to fix turf toe and won't be able to contribute for the Colts until 2025. The third-round pick in 2022 caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie season in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts). Woods was going to have more of a shot at an elevated role in Indy in 2024, but those opportunities will now most likely fall to Kylen Granson. However, Granson isn't really on the TE radar in standard 12-team leagues among a committee approach to the position in Indy that also includes names like Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.