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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Zach Ertz

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Jonathan Taylor (20.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Zach Ertz (7.8 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER
Jonathan Taylor
PPG
20.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 11
TEWashington Commanders#20
Zach Ertz
PPG
7.8
Games
13
Rec
50
Rec Yds
504
Rec TDs
4
Targets
72
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Zach Ertz

Head to Head

20.0 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

Jonathan Taylor vs Zach Ertz: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Jonathan Taylor (RB, Indianapolis Colts) against Zach Ertz (TE, Washington Commanders) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG across 13 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 11, Zach Ertz in Week 12. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Zach Ertz is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 207 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Zach Ertz caught 50 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • Jonathan Taylor is 8 years younger than Zach Ertz (27 vs 35), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatTaylorErtz
PPG (Half-PPR)20.07.8
Games Played1713
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340101
Rushing Yards1,5850
Rush Yds/Game93.20.0
Rushing TDs180
Receptions4650
Receiving Yards378504
Targets5572
Total TDs204
Age2735
Experience5 yrs12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 12

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 7.8 for Zach Ertz in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonathan Taylor or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Zach Ertz's 7.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Jonathan Taylor and Zach Ertz average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 12.2 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.