Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Juwan Johnson

Friday, October 31, 11:50 PM

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has seen six or more targets in three straight games since his no-catch performance in Week 5 against the Chargers. The veteran tight end continues to be a reliable threat in the red zone, leading the team with four receiving touchdowns. The 34-year-old will be happy to have second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels back as the starter, who he has been more productive with compared to backup Marcus Mariota. Ertz has uncharacteristically had multiple costly drops this season. The veteran has already totaled five drops in only eight games this season, more than he had all of last year and one off of his career high of six back in 2021. Ertz will likely see a solid target share with top wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) out, and it's a decent matchup against a Seattle defense that has allowed 47 receptions to opposing tight ends, tied for seventh most. Ertz is ranked as RotoBaller's TE13 in PPR formats for Sunday Night Football.

Saturday, November 8, 1:06 PM

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson caught the only Saints touchdown in Week 9 against the Rams, finishing with three receptions for 31 yards on four targets. This marked his sixth game of the season with at least 50 receiving yards or a touchdown. The return of fellow tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau briefly lowered Johnson's stock, but he has bounced back with 13 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown over his last three games. With Rashid Shaheed traded at the deadline and the Saints lacking depth at the receiver position, Johnson should be in line for an uptick in targets. He ranks as a borderline TE1/TE2 against the Panthers in Week 10, who allow the 13th-most PPR points to tight ends.