Zach Ertz Impresses; Ben Sinnott Role Uncertain

What They're Saying

Standig on Ertz: "Injuries are more concerning than the three-time Pro Bowler's remaining talent."

Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire: "Veteran Zach Ertz is Washington’s starting tight end. However, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will use two tight ends on the field at the same time often. The Commanders loved Sinnott because he could line up everywhere across the formation and make plays everywhere. While he can play traditional tight end, he can also play H-Back, fullback, or line up in the slot. Sinnott is an excellent athlete, who will not be afraid to mix things up in the running game. Washington would love to see Sinnott develop an immediate chemistry with fellow rookie Jayden Daniels. The Commanders need Sinnott to contribute this fall, where he could be a dangerous red-zone weapon for Daniels."

Sinnott right after the draft: "The amount of things I can do is unlimited. With my alignments, with what K State trusted me with. I think Coach Kingsbury's going to have a lot of fun with what he can do and with where he can put me."

GM Adam Peters on Sinnott: "He's got great hands, can get open. He can beat man coverage, and he's got that mindset when he gets the ball in his hands, he is not going down."

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

There's no question that Sinnott carries much more long-term intrigue and upside. He's 11 years younger than Ertz and got drafted in Round 2. The question is how quickly he can become fantasy relevant.

Peters' words make it clear that they love Sinnott's receiving ability. At Kansas State, he progressed well:

• 2020: walk-on
• 2021: 12 games, just 2 receptions
• 2022: team's No. 5 in receptions and No. 4 in yards
• 2023: second in both categories

But he's likely still developing. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein said ahead of the draft that Sinnott "lacks NFL physicality to hold up on blocking duties near the line." Sinnott added 40 pounds through his college career.

Moving him around the formation could help the team coax more blocking value out of the rookie and try to create target opportunities. But don't be surprised if he needs a year before he becomes the team's leader at the position.

Ertz was likely signed (before the draft) as a sort of bridge player. He also played for Kingsbury in Arizona and has reportedly helped teach the new offense to his teammates this offseason.

Dynasty Impact

Sinnott looks as good as any TE short of Brock Bowers in this rookie class -- long term.

A low-impact rookie season for fantasy, though, has the potential to lower Sinnott's price in dynasty leagues. Watch for that possibility starting during this regular season.

Other Winners & Losers

Ertz would clearly benefit from Sinnott slotting behind him in the target hierarchy this year. But it's tough to get excited about the 33-year-old TE. He's fine as a TE3 on best ball rosters with QB Jayden Daniels. Ertz doesn't look likely to matter much in redraft leagues.

Projected ADP Movement

Sinnott sits 19th among TEs in our best ball ADP and has climbed higher than that at times on Underdog Fantasy. That's higher than he sits in our half-PPR TE rankings, making the rookie a poor value by our ADP Market Index.

If training camp gives us more positive reports about Ertz and his role, their ADPs could shift.

For now, neither should play a big part in your draft plans.