Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Jonnu Smith

Friday, September 12, 9:07 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz was busy on the field during Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers. He finished with 26 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, but was able to top that here. Ertz hauled in six of his eight targets for 64 yards and a score in the loss on Thursday. It was his second straight game with a touchdown as he hauled in a 20-yard score in the fourth quarter. The veteran tight end appears to be a safety blanket for Jayden Daniels. That being said, Ertz should be viewed as a high-end TE2 for the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Friday, September 12, 9:57 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith led the team in designed targets in Week 1, per Fantasy Points Data. Despite an inefficient outing, he salvaged his day by scoring on an end-around from inside the five-yard line. Smith drew four designed looks, ranking ahead of notable receivers such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, and Travis Hunter. The Steelers acquired Smith this offseason, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who helped rejuvenate his career during their time together in Atlanta. In Week 2, Smith draws a matchup with Seattle -- a defense that finished middle of the pack against tight ends in 2024. With Pat Freiermuth still in the mix, Smith's role remains capped, making him difficult to trust outside of deeper leagues. He's more of a touchdown-dependent flier than a reliable fantasy starter heading into Pittsburgh's home opener.