FOXBOROUGH, Ma. – Zach Ertz continues to prove his worth.

The Commanders’ tight end is set to begin his 13th NFL season, although it’s only his second as a reliable target for Jayden Daniels in Washington. Ertz was frequently targeted during the team’s joint practice with the New England Patriots last Wednesday.

One notable pass occurred as Daniels faced pressure from the Patriots’ defense, just managing to deliver the ball to Ertz, who expertly completed his route with a short dig.

Another key play featured Ertz making a timely catch from the slot, demonstrating excellent synchronization with Daniels on a route that would have earned a first down.

In fact, Ertz received more attention from Daniels than new Washington receiver Deebo Samuel, and significantly more than star wideout Terry McLaurin, who is currently missing practice due to a contract dispute and being on the Commanders’ Physically Unable to Perform list.

“I appreciate our tight ends’ matchups against linebackers and safeties, especially Ertz,” Daniels commented on SiriusXM NFL Radio prior to the practice. “Ertz is a crafty veteran who thrives in those situations, enabling one-on-ones outside.”

While it is anticipated that McLaurin will eventually return to the team and reclaim his role as Daniels’ primary target, Ertz’s resurgence is not seen as a temporary phase. He remains the first-choice tight end, and with the addition of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, playcaller Kliff Kingsbury may encourage Ertz to focus more on running routes than assist with blocking tasks, potentially improving the 34-year-old’s performance further. Ertz is also recognized as a vital red-zone asset.

What kind of improvement is expected? Last season, Ertz started slowly, averaging just 5.0 targets a game and lacking red-zone involvement but gradually became integral to the offense in October when Kingsbury’s system better utilized his talents. By the final eleven games, he averaged 5.6 targets per game and accumulated 12.0 PPR points weekly, notably scoring all seven of his touchdowns in that stretch, including one pass from Marcus Mariota against the Panthers after Daniels had to leave the game with an injury.

To his credit, Ertz remains proactive rather than resting on previous achievements. He stays engaged even when not on the field, often pushing himself beyond expectations. “I consistently focus on my technique, working on my stance, my starts, and my release techniques every day during special teams drills. It’s crucial to get a strong start to avoid disrupting the timing of my routes,” Ertz stated last July.

Moreover, the Commanders are also ramping up their efforts. Ertz, Daniels, and Kingsbury have actively discussed revamping the offense to enhance unpredictability and uphold constant communication about fine-tuning routes and play designs.

“Last year, we were all new to the system, resulting in a rather predictable approach. This year, we aren’t starting from scratch. We aim to refine our strategies while also introducing fresh plays to elevate our performance,” Ertz explained.

While the early speculation was that Samuel’s inclusion could diminish Ertz’s opportunities, Daniels continues to seek out Ertz, noting him unprompted when discussing his route progression.

In conclusion, Ertz is firmly established as a significant part of the Commanders’ offensive strategy, maintaining his role alongside talents like Jake Ferguson or Dallas Goedert. He stands a strong chance of ranking second on the team in target share, particularly if McLaurin’s holdout extends into the season.

Ertz can be a late-round pick in fantasy drafts, potentially even as your final selection. If he can replicate or surpass his average of 12 PPR points per game, he will undoubtedly provide excellent value.