Who Should I Start? Zach Ertz or Mason Taylor

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.

Tuesday, November 4, 8:35 AM

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor is one of the best waiver wire pickups available this week, as he and the Jets return from their bye week. The second-round rookie went into the off week on a high note by snagging the game-winning pass (from RB Breece Hall) against the Bengals to secure the team's first win of the year. Taylor had five catches on eight targets in that game for 34 yards. He had at least three catches in five of his last six games before the bye, and posted over 60 yards in two of those games as well. The Jets could get Garrett Wilson (knee) back after a two-game absence, but even if that costs Taylor some targets, it raises the overall ceiling of the offense enough to still be a good thing for Taylor. While his quarterback play from Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor has held him back, he's getting enough volume to be a good waiver wire add ahead of a stretch of favorable matchups against the Browns, Patriots, and Ravens in the next three weeks. He also has good fantasy football playoff matchups against the Dolphins, Jaguars, Saints, and Patriots for the final four games of the season.