Start or Sit Cardinals TE Zach Ertz? Fantasy Experts Split

It was unknown if Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz would be ready to play by the start of the season after tearing his ACL and MCL in 2022. Even Ertz himself wasn't sure when speaking with reporters prior to Week 1.

Ertz was active - and happened to be the No. 1 target for starting quarterback Josh Dobbs in a fairly productive day.

Can he replicate that success in Week 2 against the New York Giants? Opinions seem to be split.

FanDuel: Start Zach Ertz

"While that yardage total limited his fantasy numbers, he had strong underlying metrics. Ertz paced the Arizona Cardinals (and the tight end position as a whole) with a 33.3% target share and ran a route on 90.9% of snaps. He saw 2 red zone targets and didn't look at all limited, handling a 77.6% snap share.

"Keep in mind, Ertz was the TE5 in 2021 and the TE3 through the first nine weeks of last season. Yes, the quarterback situation is shaky, but with Kyler Murray eligible to return from the PUP list in Week 5, Ertz could wind up being a set-and-forget starter when it's all said and done.

"At the very least, with a home matchup against the New York Giants next week, he's a quality tight end streamer for Week 2.

"Last season, New York allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight end. They tied Miami for the highest CROE (7.1%) allowed and just gave up a 32% target share to the Dallas Cowboys tight ends in Week 1.

"Ertz should be added in essentially all leagues and makes for a strong play this week and perhaps the rest of the season."

FantasyPros: Avoid Zach Ertz

"Quarterback Josh Dobbs‘ favorite target was not Marquise Brown or Michael Wilson. Instead, it was tight end Zach Ertz off a torn ACL, who was peppered with 10 targets (33% target share). Bruh. 6 catches for 21 yards. Maybe this isn’t the best way to move the ball on offense.

"Also, very surprised to see him play so clearly ahead of second-year tight end, Trey McBride. Doubled his snaps and routes run. McBride totaled more yards (23) on just two catches.

"Ertz ran a route on all but three of Dobb’s dropbacks (91%) and was a heavy favorite in the red zone. I’d let somebody chase the Ertz targets off waivers. He needs that much volume to do anything in fantasy."