Zach Ertz makes for a tough discussion. He is one of the few players who is legitimately underrated and overrated at the same time. I referred to him in a previous post as a “complementary player”. Some readers nodded their head, while others said “huh?”

Ertz has the potential to be an outstanding player, possibly even a star TE. The problem is that Ertz doesn’t always play to his potential and he’s been prone to some big mistakes. There is no question of talent. He simply must become a more consistently physical player. The size, skill and athleticism are there. He is lacking in toughness and physicality, although there are times when he shows flashes in those areas.

Zach Ertz scouting report

Size: 6-5, 250

Birthdate: 11-10-1990

Experience: entering 5th season

RELEASE: 6

ROUTE RUNNING: 7

HANDS: 8

RECEIVE SHORT: 7

RECEIVE DEEP: 8

CATCH IN TRAFFIC: 7

RUN AFTER CATCH: 5

IN-LINE BLOCK: 4

BLOCK ON THE MOVE: 5

Positives: Talented, athletic pass-catcher in the prime of his career. Can be a weapon in the passing game. Has the ability to line up all over the field. Dangerous in space. Linebackers and even some Safeties struggle to cover him due to his outstanding change-of-direction ability. Ertz is deadly when he runs the arrow route. His ability to make quick cuts makes it tough for some defenders to stick with him on underneath routes. Very good intermediate and deep receiver. Has the speed to get open and does a good job of tracking the ball. Has excellent hands. Catches the ball away from his body. Really concentrates on the ball. Made an impressive catch vs WAS on downfield play. Focused on the ball and made tough grab as his legs were cut out from under him. Athletic player who can make plays after the catch. Had a long TD vs SEA called back due to meaningless penalty. Showed excellent speed on that play as he outran a couple of DBs. Put in him in the slot and there are times he looks like a big WR. Excellent body control. Is able to adjust to off-target throws. Shows the potential to be an excellent receiver on 3rd/4th and short situations. When he gets a clean release, is able to make one hard cut and present a target to his QB. Sure-handed TE who will catch the ball if it gets to him.

Negatives: Plays a physical position, but is not a physical player. That is true as a blocker, route-runner and after the catch. Poor in-line blocker. There is no lack of effort, though. Fires off the ball and engages his defender. The problem is that Ertz doesn’t follow the old football maxim of “run through the target, not to the target”. Makes contact and quits driving. His defender consistently either makes the tackle or is in on the tackle. That must change. Better blocker in space, but still not consistently good. Will beat up on some DBs. Can struggle at times to get open against physical defenders. Doesn’t know how to use his size and strength to create separation. Relies too much on athleticism. That works in space, but in traffic a TE must be able to fight through contact and get open. Terrible when it comes to breaking tackles after the catch. Went most of the 2016 season without breaking a single tackle. That is unacceptable for a player of his size and ability. Ertz should be better in the Red Zone. There are too many plays where he and the QB aren’t on the same page. Seems to be freelancing at times. The RZ is one place where that can’t happen. You must run the correct route and fight for the ball when it comes your way.

Overall: I watched almost five complete games. I wanted to see Ertz early, middle and late in the season. His highs are really impressive. Ertz is outstanding at times. Put on the SEA game and you’ll be shocked at how good he looks on some plays and how awful he looks on others. The talent is there. The only person keeping Zach Ertz from being a Pro Bowl TE is Zach Ertz. He must get tougher and more physical. History is filled with athletic TEs who are marginal blockers, but Ertz has to improve to get to that level. Rarely wins on in-line situations. That has to change. Part of it is technique. He plays with poor pad level at times. Doesn’t always bring his legs with him when blocking. Doesn’t have the upper body strength to get away with that. The biggest thing is attitude. Ertz must be more aggressive and assertive. He doesn’t play to his size and strength. Playing with more of a sense of aggression would help his blocking, route-running and ability to break tackles after the catch.

If things ever fully click for Ertz, could become an outstanding player and huge asset for Carson Wentz. Ertz is already a good player, but still needs to take the next step if he’s going to reach his full potential.

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Ertz’s 5 best catches from 2016

Career stats

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