Zach Ertz Rookie Spotlight
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Photo via Zach Ertz Twitter

Height: 6’5″
Weight: 249 Pounds
40-Time: 4.6
Drafted: Round 2 (Philadelphia Eagles)

Scouting Report:

Zach Ertz has trained with 49ers legendary TE Brent Jones since high school. Jones says the moment he met Ertz, he told him he was going to play in the NFL. Due to his size and playing style, Ertz has drawn comparisons to Cowboys great Jason Witten (we see a lot of Todd Heap). He poses the large target and sure hands that Witten does, while also running and cutting with a similar, lumbering style.

Ertz comes from a pro-style offense at Stanford, where he was utilized down the seam, in the redzone, and occasionally on the outside. Expect to see him split out wide more often in the NFL. He should be especially effective against defenses that play a Tampa 2 like the division rival Cowboys will be running as a base defense this year. Like most rookies, Ertz will have to improve his blocking if he wants to stay on the field. We are confident he will.

Fantasy Analysis:

Chip Kelly wasted no time drafting a weapon from one of his former college rivals. That is a compliment to Zach Ertz and gives us an idea of the type of respect, or at least intrigue, Kelly had for him as an opposing coach. Longtime incumbent Brent Celek is still on the roster and the Eagles signed James Casey in the offseason. Ertz is the most talented of the bunch, but there will be plenty of competition at the tight end position. The potential for a logjam exists.

In Ertz’s favor, Philly is thin at wide receiver and they really don’t have a true split-end on the roster. He is going to get the chance to line up wide. If he performs, a niche could be carved. He will also be the Eagles biggest red-zone target. A 500-yard, 5 TD season would not surprise us, making him a spot-start as a rookie against juicy tight-end matchups. Ertz has great future upside and should be owned in all Keeper and Dynasty formats.