5 Tight Ends Who Are Ready to Break Loose in 2015
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Season: 3rd
ADP: 84th (TE6)
While Ertz saw his numbers increase across the board by 50% in 2014, his 58 receptions for 702 yards and 3 touchdowns still had him finish the season as just the 14th-ranked tight end in standard leagues. Stuck in a timeshare with superior blocker Brent Celek, Ertz saw the field on just 50.3% of the Eagles offensive snaps.
It's tough to rack up production when you're standing on the sideline on half your team's plays.
Yet, despite this limited playing time, Ertz flashed moments of greatness -- punctuated by a 15-reception, 115-yard game (on 18 targets) against Washington in the second-to-last contest of the year.
On that note, when Ertz did see the field, his efficiency was quite impressive. His 0.72 Reception NEP per target ranked eighth among all tight ends with at least 50 targets, and as our Associate Editor Brandon Gdula has noted, his 0.08 Reception NEP on a per snap basis was fourth behind just Rob Gronkowski (0.14), Antonio Gates (0.12), and Travis Kelce (0.10).
With reports that Ertz has improved his blocking this offseason, many are predicting a "sizable jump" in snaps for the Eagles' lead tight end. This, taken along with the void created in the passing game by Jeremy Maclin's departure and the chemistry Ertz seems to be quickly building with new quarterback Sam Bradford, looks as if the pieces are coming together for Ertz to make good on the hype that's been building up around him this offseason.
