Is Zach Ertz or Ben Sinnott the TE1 for the Commanders? Fantasy Football Outlook

Tight ends are always the trickiest position to analyze and get value from in fantasy football, so every time a promising rookie TE enters the NFL, they become intriguing. Veteran tight end Zach Ertz and incoming rookie Ben Sinnott figure to battle for the Washington Commanders' TE1 job in 2024.

Ertz has a long history of fantasy production, but he isn't getting any younger, and Sinnott fetched respectable draft capital that puts him on the fantasy football radar.

Is Washington's starting tight end Ertz or Sinnott in 2024? What are their fantasy football outlooks? Let's get into it.

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Zach Ertz Fantasy Football Outlook

In seven games with the Arizona Cardinals last season, Ertz caught 27 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown. It was far from a stellar campaign, but it's worth noting he did not play a single snap with Kyler Murray, and fellow tight end Trey McBride emerged in a big way -- making him expendable.

Zach Ertz find his way back into the end zone! @ZERTZ_86

📺: #CINvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/MmfAmXYzDy

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023

The three-time Pro Bowler and five-time 800-plus-yard receiver is beyond his prime at age 33, but he could be a valuable target in the short or intermediate parts of the field for No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels.

He's also a highly attainable fantasy asset since he's coming off the board around the TE30 spot in early FFPC best ball drafts.

Ben Sinnott Fantasy Football Outlook

Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, it was difficult to predict who would be the first tight end selected after Georgia's Brock Bowers. The Commanders answered that question, snagging Sinnott with the 53rd overall pick. He was the only tight end picked up in Round 2, so naturally, he is now the rookie TE2 in most rankings.

Following a 49-catch, 676-yard, six-touchdown final season at Kansas State, the 21-year-old excelled at the NFL combine -- posting strong speed, agility, and explosiveness scores. Washington is surely determined to surround Jayden Daniels with as many high-end weapons as possible, and Sinnott is now viewed as their tight end of the future.

Just an elite celebration from Ben Sinnott on K-State's opening drive touchdown. First the leg dab (?) then the Griddy????? It was both absurd and awesome.@ben_sinnott @whoward_ pic.twitter.com/jf9jRMJEEs

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) November 19, 2023

Despite the recent stellar campaigns from Kyle Pitts and Sam LaPorta as first-year players, it's rare for rookie tight ends to make a significant impact in fantasy football. In fact, only 14 rookie tight ends have accumulated at least 600 yards dating back to 1975.

Even studs like Rob Gronkowski (546), Tony Gonzalez (368), and George Kittle (515) failed to become volume-heavy receivers in their debut seasons. That said, expectations for Sinnott should be tempered in Year 1 -- especially with a rookie QB leading the Washington offense.

Who is the TE1 for the Commanders?

Ertz likely begins the 2024 campaign as the starter at tight end, but both players will see the field in 12-personnel. The goal is for Sinnott to take over the lead duties at some point this year, but again, he's unlikely to yield immediate fantasy results. Tight ends have a complex job as a blocker and receiver, so it can take them multiple years to break out and become fantasy studs.

Neither player is ultra-valuable this season, but fantasy managers interested in getting a piece of the Washington offense can acquire either with late-round selections.

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