Tag: Zach Ertz

Fantasy football: Commanders TE Ben Sinnott a sleeper in 2024

Could Commanders rookie TE Ben Sinnott be a fantasy sleeper in 2024?

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott has been quiet during his first training camp. Please don’t mistake that, for he’s had a bad training camp. He hasn’t. Through the first two weeks, veteran starter Zach Ertz has handled the majority of snaps as Sinnott gets acclimated to the NFL game.

In fantasy football terms, if you’re looking for tight end help from the Commanders, Ertz is probably your guy. The 33-year-old looks rejuvenated after reuniting with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Tight end production isn’t always easy to find in the NFL. Not every team has a tight end who puts up big numbers. So, if you’re playing a league that starts two tight ends, you could be searching high and low for some sneaky production.

Enter Sinnott.

The Commanders spent the No. 53 overall pick on the former Kansas State star. Sinnott was KSU’s best player, and he’s big, athletic and versatile. One of the reasons why Washington liked Sinnott was because he was a willing blocker, but it could move him across the formation. So, if Ertz is the only tight end on the field, Sinnott could play some fullback or H-Back.

Sinnott will see the field in 2024, and that playing time could increase throughout the season.

NFL.com recently looked at 10 fantasy sleepers at tight end, and Sinnott came in at No. 10.

Projected draft position: Round 17 (TE23)

A second rookie tight end? Have I lost my mind? Maybe, but see my comment about rookies in the Brock Bowers section and then take a gander at Ben Sinnott’s profile. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound athlete out of Kansas State exceeded draft expectations with his Round 2 selection, after turning in a stellar performance at the NFL combine that included a 40-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and a 6.82-second 3-cone drill.

General manager Adam Peters compared Sinnott to two 49ers: All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk and All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Peters was in San Francisco when the 49ers acquired both players.

Keep in mind that Ertz will be 34 in November. He’s dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, so if he can’t make it through the season healthy, Sinnott becomes even more valuable.

Fantasy football: Commanders TE Zach Ertz named one of 2024’s top sleepers

Zach Ertz could be a fantasy bargain in 2024.

If you play fantasy football and need a tight end, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz may be your guy.

Before you say, “Ertz is almost 34 and coming off a couple of injury-plagued seasons,” understand that he’s atop Washington’s depth chart that is expected to heavily feature the tight end in 2024.

Ertz is healthy and has looked terrific early in training camp. He also looks comfortable in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, an offense he has plenty of experience with. There’s also the quarterback. Ertz and rookie Jayden Daniels already appear to have developed a rapport.

So, where should fantasy owners look to draft Ertz?

Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus named 10 fantasy sleepers for 2024, and he included Ertz. His projected ADP is in the 21st round, making him a potential bargain for a No. 1 tight end.

Ertz was once among the best fantasy tight ends. From 2015 to 2019, he consistently gained at least 70 receptions and 800 receiving yards. After a down 2020, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2021 season and then finished as a top-12 fantasy tight end in fantasy points per game in both 2021 and 2022.

Ertz played seven games in 2023 but suffered a quad strain and didn’t return to action. He was also starting to get phased out by the budding Trey McBride. Ertz has since signed with the Washington Commanders, reuniting him with Kliff Kingsbury, who was his head coach with the Cardinals and is now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.

A lot is working against Ertz, considering that he’s 33 years old, his recent injury history and the fact that Washington drafted a potential replacement in Ben Sinnott in the second round. It’s hard to imagine anyone with this low of an ADP being a top-six fantasy tight end, but there is a path for Ertz to get there. He just needs to stay healthy, hold off Sinnott and Father Time for a season and play as well as he did the last time Kingsbury was calling plays for him.

There are risks with Ertz. Washington does have Ben Sinnott, who has a high ceiling but has also been quiet in training camp. Cole Turner and Armani Rogers, both entering their third season, have impressed, but neither will challenge Ertz for playing time.

So, while there are risks, how risky is it to spend a late flier on a starting NFL tight end with a history of success?

WATCH: Commanders TE Cole Turner makes acrobatic catch in practice

Cole Turner is battling for a spot on the 53 and plays like this will help his chances.

Washington Commanders tight end Cole Turner is in his third NFL training camp this summer. As a rookie fifth-round pick in 2022, Turner jumped out to a fast start in his first training camp, but an injury ruined things.

Turner returned, but it was too late to make an impact during his rookie season. He appeared in 10 games and caught two passes for 23 yards. A concussion cost Turner more time that season. Turner played in 12 games last season, catching 11 passes for 120 yards.

This offseason, new Washington general manager Adam Peters set out to rebuild the tight end position. The Commanders released Logan Thomas and signed Zach Ertz. Then, Peters would use a second-round pick on Ben Sinnott.

This offseason is now or never for Turner in Washington. One week into training camp, he appears up to the task. During Thursday’s practice, check out this catch Turner made on a throw from quarterback Marcus Mariota.

These are the types of plays Washington has been wanting from Turner. He is competing with Ertz, Sinnott, John Bates, Armani Rogers and undrafted rookie Colson Yankoff for three or four spots. Ertz, Sinnott and Bates are safe. Turner is likely battling fellow third-year tight end Armani Rogers for a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

Turner needs a strong camp to make the team, but if he continues to show his athleticism and playmaking ability, he’ll land somewhere.

Zach Ertz, Bobby Wagner with high praise for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Ertz says Daniels has been “phenomenal.”

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has made a positive impression on everyone in the organization. Whether it’s his punctuality, work ethic, or leaning on the veterans for knowledge, Daniels has handled everything correctly since arriving.

Two of Washington’s key veterans brought in this offseason, tight end Zach Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner, have provided excellent leadership for the Commanders on and off the field.

After Monday’s practice, Ertz praised the young quarterback:

“I mean, I think Jayden has done a phenomenal job,” Ertz said. “I’ve been impressed with him from the moment he got here. The reps, like I said, are limited, and so every time we have a rep, I kind of wanna stand back there and talk to him, kind of how he sees certain things because it doesn’t really matter how I see things once the ball is snapped. I gotta play on his timing and I gotta anticipate what he wants me to do.”

That’s a fantastic breakdown from Ertz. And you can see why general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury wanted Ertz and Wagner on their first Washington roster.

Speaking of the future Hall of Famer, Wagner offered the following on Daniels.

“Yeah, I mean, the biggest thing is confidence,” Wagner said of Daniels. “He’s very, very confident, and you want that in the quarterback. As you watch him, he gets more comfortable understanding where the routes are going to be, getting comfortable with the receivers that he’s throwing to. I feel like he’s in a really, really great space, and I’m excited for him to keep going and it’s going to be fun to watch him play this season.”

It sounds like Daniels has earned the stamp of approval from two of Washington’s most respected players.

Commanders TE Zach Ertz on Kliff Kingsbury: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kliff so happy’

Working with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders has rejuvenated Kingsbury.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz first met his current offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, in October 2021 when the Philadelphia Eagles traded him to the Arizona Cardinals. Kingsbury was Arizona’s head coach at the time.

For the remainder of that season, Ertz was a perfect fit in Kingsbury’s offense, recording 56 receptions in 11 games for the Cardinals. Both Ertz and Kingsbury liked the arrangement, and Arizona signed the soon-to-be-31-year-old to a three-year contract extension.

Ertz was having another terrific season in 2022 until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 10. Several weeks later, Kingsbury was fired.

While Kingsbury stepped away from the NFL for a year in 2023, Ertz played for the Cardinals, was injured and then requested his release. In March, he signed with the Commanders, a team he played many times over the years when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Signing with Washington also reunited Ertz with Kingsbury. This time around, though, Kingsbury would be Ertz’s offensive coordinator, not his head coach.

The change has apparently re-energized Kingsbury, according to Ertz.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kliff so happy,” Ertz said Monday. “He seems like he’s refreshed every time he goes out on the practice field. He is eager. He is excited to work with the quarterbacks every single day. And so I truly believe that maybe that break from everything last year and him be able to get this job and work with Jayden (Daniels) and Marcus (Mariota) and Sam (Hartman) and Jeff (Driskel) every day has really almost, I would say, rejuvenated him. I think I’m in the same boat, you know, it has been extremely fun to be here.”

For the first time since coming to the NFL in 2019, Kingsbury doesn’t have to worry about the responsibilities of a head coach. He can focus solely on teaching, designing the offense, and, most importantly, working daily with the quarterbacks.

Multiple players have praised Kingsbury’s approach and his offense. While that’s the case every time there is a new coach or coordinator, Kingsbury’s flexibility and creativity will be a welcome change.

Or, perhaps, its working with a young quarterback as talented as Daniels.

WATCH: Commanders TE Zach Ertz makes one-handed catch in training camp

Zach Ertz with a one-handed grab in practice.

The Washington Commanders signed tight end Zach Ertz in the offseason, expecting him to start in 2024. Some questioned whether that was a smart decision for the rebuilding Commanders. Ertz, who will turn 34 in November, has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons.

Washington believed in Ertz, specifically offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Ertz with the Arizona Cardinals. The Commanders believed that not only did Ertz have plenty to give on the field, but he could also serve as a mentor to whichever quarterback they chose in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Commanders chose Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick and he and Ertz quickly formed a connection throughout the spring. That connection continues to grow, with Ertz making a terrific one-handed catch during Day 2 of training camp, courtesy of Mitch Tischler of Monumental Sports.

It’s early, but if Ertz can stay healthy, he and rookie Ben Sinnott could form a nice 1-2 punch at tight end for the Commanders in 2024.

Zach Ertz already making an impact for the Commanders

Ertz has already emerged as one of Washington’s leaders.

When the Washington Commanders signed Zach Ertz in March, no one believed he’d be the starting tight end in 2024. Ertz was 33 and coming off a pair of injury-shortened seasons that left his future in question.

Washington believed Ertz had plenty left in the tank. It helped that his former head coach in Arizona, Kliff Kingsbury, was the Commanders’ new offensive coordinator. After the Philadelphia Eagles traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, he enjoyed plenty of success in Kingsbury’s offense.

Washington entered this offseason understanding it needed to rebuild the tight end position. After releasing veteran Logan Thomas, the Commanders signed Ertz to lead a room with younger players like John Bates (4th season), Armani Rogers (3rd season), Cole Turner (3rd season) and rookie second-round pick Ben Sinnott.

This is where Ertz would be counted upon. Yes, Washington believes he can still play, but head coach Dan Quinn has praised Ertz for his leadership throughout this offseason.

In an appearance on “The Sports Junkies” of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., this week, Turner spoke of Ertz’s influence.

“Zach and (Kingsbury) have been together for years before,” Turner said via Logan Mullen of Audacy.

“That’s the first thing about Zach that he’s seen what Kliff expects from the offense, and he’s not a selfish guy, he wants to help everyone out. It’s been really fun to play with him. Me and Zach have become friends in just a few months of knowing each other; he’s a very personable guy and a guy that goes out of his way and wants to see the team win.”

What Turner would say next is music to Quinn and general manager Adam Peters’s ears as they look to build the team and rebuild the culture.

“It’s been great having him around – not just for the tight ends, but for everyone. He’s one of the leaders on the team, for sure.”

Coaches and players have sung the praises of Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner throughout the offseason. While the Commanders are counting on Ertz to start this season, his most significant role could be his impact in the locker room.

Breer believes Commanders’ free-agent class already paying dividends

Washington’s free-agent class is already paying dividends.

The Washington Commanders had a busy offseason. Washington signed over 20 free agents, selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft and added 11 additional undrafted free agents.

General manager Adam Peters chose to focus on free agents that he and the coaching staff were familiar with in their plan to rebuild Washington’s roster while not ruining any potential future cap flexibility.

Mission accomplished. Most of Washington’s signings were one-year deals. And the three-year deals given out (C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dorance Armstrong and LB Frankie Luvu) are still young and ascending players. Biadasz and Armstrong followed head coach Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington, while Luvu was one of the most sought-after defenders on the free-agent market.

Two of Washington’s free agents, linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz, are arguably the most important additions. Wagner and Ertz are not only counted upon to deliver on the field in 2024, but for their leadership, too.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks the Commanders’ offseason spending was money well spent.

The Washington Commanders’ massive free-agent haul paid dividends in the spring. One thing a new coach can see over his first few months is how players are buying in and carrying the flag for the program he’s trying to put in.

And having been in that position before with the Atlanta Falcons, new Commanders coach Dan Quinn arrived in D.C. knowing that he’d need some flag-bearers for what he was trying to build. It’s a big reason why Washington went for volume in free agency—bringing in a massive number of players from across the NFL whom he and new GM Adam Peters saw as fits for what they’ll be trying to build over the next few years.

So far, so good.

Quinn saw it in the spring in the details on tape—in how players were finishing plays downfield, how they were going after the ball on defense and how the three new phases were being installed (the coaches tried to take their time and be deliberate with that).

The two guys in particular who really showed up in that regard were Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz, who have a combined 23 years of NFL experience and have both won a Super Bowl. Quinn had Wagner in Seattle a decade ago, so he knew exactly what he was getting from the six-time All-Pro. And Quinn’s offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, had Ertz for a season and a half in Arizona, so Washington wasn’t guessing about him, either. Both helped to set a standard and install the coaches’ systems.

Quinn was pleased with Washington’s offseason work. He praised the players and coaches and feels the Commanders are in a good spot heading into training camp next month.

Multiple players have spoken about Wagner and Ertz and how valuable they’ve been since arriving in March. Both may be at the later portion of their careers, but they can still play. However, with their ties to the coaching staff, their presence on the practice field and in the locker room is just as important to their contributions this fall. The coaching staff has trusted these veterans to help them teach Washington’s returning players and other newcomers what it takes to be a professional.

No one believes the Commanders will win 10 games or more in 2024. Peters and Quinn signed a free-agent class designed to lay a foundation.

Mission accomplished. That doesn’t they aren’t trying to win in 2024. They are. However, for once, the organization sees the larger picture.

Commanders sign 2nd-round tight end Ben Sinnott

The Commanders sign tight end Ben Sinnott to his rookie deal.

The Washington Commanders signed rookie tight end Ben Sinnott to his rookie four-year contract on Friday.

Sinnott, the No. 53 overall pick out of Kansas State, will compete with veteran Zach Ertz to start in 2024. While Ertz is the likely starter, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury plans to run plenty of 12 personnel, giving Sinnott an opportunity to make an impact as a rookie.

The 6-foot-4, 247-pound Sinnott is a native of Waterloo, Iowa, and can play multiple positions. Sinnott can play the traditional tight end spot, line up in the slot, or at fullback. During his final season with the Wildcats, Sinnott caught 49 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Sinnott was the focal point of Kansas State’s offense.

Friday was a special day for Sinnott: It was his 22nd birthday.

In addition to Ertz and Sinnott, the Commanders have John Bates, Cole Turner, Armani Rogers and undrafted rookie Colson Yankoff. Washington will likely keep four tight ends, with Ertz, Sinnott and Bates the only roster locks.

86 days till the Cardinals’ season opener against the Bills

You don’t have to go back far to find an impactful No. 86 for the Cardinals.

We approach the weekend on a Friday and are yet a day closer to the start of the 2024 NFL season. The Arizona Cardinals will open the season on the road against the Buffalo Bills.

That game will kick off in 86 days.

No. 86 currently belongs to receiver Jeff Smith, who has been in the league since 2019 but spent part of last season on Arizona’s practice squad. He was re-signed after the season’s conclusion.

He is not what you would consider an impact player, as he has yet to appear in a game with the Cardinals.

Who was the last impact No. 86?

That is easy, it was tight end Zach Ertz.

The Cardinals traded for Ertz in 2021 and he tied the team’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 56 in only 11 games.

He had another 47 receptions in 10 games in 2022 before he tore his ACL and returned to play in 2023, appearing in seven games and catching 27 passes before he injured his quad, landed on injured reserve and then was released upon his request after Trey McBride broke out and Ertz would have no spot in the lineup.

He didn’t do as well as most thought he would after his 2021 season, but he was certainly still an impact player for Arizona.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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