Before NFL Free Agency officially begins, two tight ends have already signed to different teams. As Zach Ertz, the former Arizona Cardinal, is now a Washington Commander while Jonnu Smith, the former Atlanta Falcon, is now a Miami Dolphin. What is the fantasy football impact for these NFL free agent signings? Let’s take a closer look.
Zach Ertz Fantasy Football Impact
If Zach Ertz is able to make the official 53-man roster for the Commanders, this will be Ertz’s third team he played for, as he has played for the Eagles and the Cardinals and joined the Lions practice squad without being upgraded to the active roster. Ertz has averaged double-digit PPR fantasy points in six of his 11 seasons, including in two of his last three seasons. He just has to get the targets, and it will show up on the football field and in the fantasy football scoreboards.
While injuries have shortened his last two seasons, Ertz has seen 10 or more targets in six of his last 17 games. This is a very interesting spot, as earlier the Commanders released starting tight end Logan Thomas. This has to be a replacement for Logan Thomas, as you have to replace a tight end who had 55 receptions on 78 targets last season for the Commanders. Logan Thomas finished as TE16 in PPR formats last season. Ertz is also reunited with Kliff Kingsbury, who will be calling plays for Washington.
As of now, I would leave Ertz on the waiver wire as a top-tier free agent pickup if you are in a bind for 10-to-12-team leagues. However, in deeper leagues, Ertz could be a late-round pick.
Jonnu Smith Fantasy Football Impact
Jonnu Smith had an unexpected breakout 2023 fantasy football season with the Falcons and even averaged more fantasy points than Kyle Pitts. Last season was the second of his seven seasons where he averaged more than eight PPR fantasy points. With Arthur Smith leaving, the Falcons released him, and now he goes to the Miami Dolphins. Durham Smythe is still expected to be on the Dolphins roster, and I can see Jonnu Smith being in the same exact role as he was in Atlanta. He doesn’t need to be drafted in fantasy leagues, but if he becomes a hot commodity, you can pick Smith up on waivers. The consistency will likely not be there for him, however.
