Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Mason Taylor

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.

Monday, June 9, 12:22 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reports that New York Jets rookie second-round tight end Mason Taylor is starting to make waves during offseason workouts and looks like the tight end most ready to make an impact in the passing game for the Jets. However, if he's going to be on the field more than the team's other TEs, Rosenblatt thinks he needs to show more as a blocker. "I think he's been doing an outstanding job," head coach Aaron Glenn said. "It's not just the pass-catching that's what you guys see. But it's the blocking that really gets me going." The 21-year-old was a three-year starter in the SEC and could make an immediate impact for the Jets and fantasy managers as a starter sooner than later in his rookie season. Taylor has a real opportunity to see significant targets behind receiver Garrett Wilson, although New York's offense could lean on the ground game.