Need Help at TE? Looks like Ertz, Don't It?

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues

OWNED IN: 38% Owned in Fleaflicker

ANALYSIS: Ertz has had a harder time finding the end zone this season than Peyton Manning had finding Broncos receivers this past Sunday.  The poor guy has not scored and is averaging a career-low 10.6 yards per catch.  You would think between this and starting quarterback Sam Bradford probably missing Philadelphia’s next game due to a shoulder injury and a concussion that Ertz should be avoided like a stranger’s sneeze.

Guess again.  Bradford’s demise could cause Ertz’s fantasy value to rise.  During the final four games of the 2014 campaign while Mark Sanchez was subbing for Nick Foles, Ertz tallied up 24 receptions for 242 yards and a touchdown.  The two definitely have some chemistry together, and Sanchez can throw the ball as well as Bradford can, if not better.

Ertz is having no trouble in other fantasy departments this year.  Over his last five games he has averaged 5.2 receptions, 7.6 targets and 55.6 yards per contest.  He has steadily improved after a sluggish start.  He just needs to get into the end zone to make himself more worthwhile to fantasy owners, and that could very well happen this week.

Ertz and his Eagles take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  While the Bucs’ pass defense is ranked 10^th in the NFL, it has been inconsistent when defending tight ends.  Tampa Bay held Dallas’ Jason Witten in check in its last game (42 yards), but failed miserably in prior week when Atlanta’s Jacob Tamme and Washington’s Jordan Reed combined for 21 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns over a two-game span.

You do not have to worry about the aforementioned Celek eating into Ertz’s targets.  Ertz is the tight end that gets more looks, and the arrow is pointing up in that department, even with Celek’s sudden re-emergence.  If you need a one-week tight end replacement, Ertz would be a valid choice.