Eagles debate table: Are there really two better tight ends than Zach Ertz?
At this point in his career, has Eagles tight end Zach Ertz done enough to prove he’s the top tight end in the NFL? Well two other guys keep getting mentioned ahead of him.
Take emotion out of the argument for a second. No seriously, forget you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan for a few moments. Now breathe, and answer this honestly. Who’s the best tight end in the NFL? Are you still going with Zach Ertz or someone else?
In a world where we check out Pro Football Focus‘ almost impossible to understand analytics system daily, we have to admit we love data. Not only that, we love rankings, and we love player comparisons.
We just love debating all things related to football.
Ask most football minds, and they’ll tell you that the three best tight ends in the NFL, now that Rob Gronkowski is gone, are George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs (yep, Jason Kelce‘s younger brother), and Zach Ertz.
Kittle’s normally been given the nod as being the guy. Kelce is a close second, and Ertz is the third guy on most lists.
Let’s look at the stats. Kittle is entering his third year in the league, and he’s already been given a Pro Bowl nod in 2018. He also earned Second-team All-Pro honors at the conclusion of last season, and he owns the NFL’s single-season receiving yards record by a tight end with 1,377.
Throw in 131 receptions for 1,892 yards and seven touchdowns for good measure.
That brings us to Kelce. He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection (2015-18), and two-time First-team All-Pro (2016, 2018), and he took home Second-team All-Pro honors in 2017. He’s racked up 410 receptions for 5,236 yards and 32 touchdowns in the six years NFL fans have gotten to know him.
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That brings us to Philly’s guy. Last year, Ertz snapped the NFL’s record for most receptions by a tight end with 116. He’s a familiar face to Pro Bowl voters after being given the nod in both 2017 and 2018. He’s got 437 receptions for 4,827 yards and 29 touchdowns on his resume. Is anyone else smelling that 10,000 receiving yards milestone?
Oh yeah, he also helped Philly raise that Lombardi Trophy for the first time.
So, with all of that being said, we got nothing from the numbers. Let’s go to an expert’s opinion. Recently, The Sporting News’ Vinny Iyer ranked the top ten tight ends in the current NFL. Here’s what he said about each guy:
Kittle (first):
"At 6-4, 250 pounds, Kittle unleashed his inner Gronk in his second season, quickly proving to be a 2017 fifth-round draft steal. He set the tight end record for receiving yards in a season with 1,377, and he did it by averaging a ridiculous 15.6 yards per catch. He also smashed as a run blocker and can do better than 88 catches and five TDs with a full season of Jimmy Garoppolo."
Kelce (second):
"Kelce takes over as the best No. 87 with Gronk retiring, and he carries on the tradition of Tony Gonzalez in Kansas City. Kelce improved his numbers again last season, hitting career highs of 103 catches for 1,336 yards and 10 TDs with Patrick Mahomes. He becomes a more important target for Mahomes in 2019 with Tyreek HIll unlikely to play and backup tight end Demetrius Harris gone. Kelce also was a solid pass blocker when not running routes."
Ertz (third):
"Ertz serves as the ultimate wide receiver hybrid, and he raised his game last season as a No. 1 target with 116 catches for 1,163 yards and 10 TDs, all career highs. He falls a little behind Kittle and Kelce for his relative blocking deficiency."
Let’s get one thing straight. Kittle and Kelce are great, but for the Eagles’ offense, Ertz is perfect. No Eagles fan will forget that final go-ahead drive in Minneapolis, that catch on fourth down, or seeing him dive into the end zone.
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Sure, his blocking could improve, but guess what? Even if there are two guys that are better, third place in the entire league isn’t bad. He’s also perfect for the Eagles offense and the guy Carson Wentz often tends to look for when he’s in trouble and trying to make a play.
Expect huge things from him again in 2019.