An in depth look into Zach Ertz’s year-by-year progression

2013, the rookie season:

The Eagles’ depth chart at tight end consisted of Brent Celek, James Casey, and rookie Zach Ertz. That year the Eagles were projected to use a lot of two tight end sets, so the thinking was we were going to get to see Ertz early and often. That didn’t happen.

During his rookie season, Ertz saw action in all 16 games. He was targeted 57 times. He had 36 receptions totaling 469 yards, and he hauled in four touchdowns. That averages out to about 3.5 targets, 2.25 receptions, 29.3 yards, and .25 touchdowns per game. His best games came in a December contest, one that matched the Eagles the Arizona Cardinals. He had six targets, five receptions, 68 yards, and two touchdowns. The next game came two weeks later versus the Minnesota Vikings. In that one, he had nine targets, six receptions and 57 yards. He even reached the end zone once.

Everyone was excited for what Ertz was to become, and his sophomore season was supposed to be his “breakout year.”