5 Players You Should Reach for in Fantasy Football Drafts

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Zach Ertz is a perennial sleeper on these types of lists, but it might finally be his time to shine.

We all know that targets are probably the most important stat for predicting fantasy production and, quietly, Ertz was the sixth-most targeted tight end in the NFL in 2015. Moreover, Ertz only finished the season with four total games in which he was targeted less than six times.

Perhaps more encouraging, however, was Ertz's four-game stretch to cap off the season, becoming Sam Bradford's security blanket by snagging 35 catches for 450 yards and a score. That run included a 9-catch, 152-yard outing as well. That kind of upside at tight end doesn't come around very often.

While Ertz wasn't very efficient with his chances in 2015, posting a paltry 0.52 Reception NEP per target (0.59 was the league average for tight ends last year), his 0.72 Reception NEP per target in 2014 and 0.64 Reception NEP per target proves he's capable of being a solid target for his quarterback. It's likely that his new coaching staff, headed by Doug Pederson, recognized that his 2015 was likely an aberration and indicative of the inefficiency of the Eagles' offense as a whole last season.

Why? Because as soon as Pederson got on board as the Eagles' head coach, Ertz was signed to a new five-year extension. This investment in Ertz is highly encouraging, and should translate to a greater snap percentage than he was afforded in 2015 under Chip Kelly (68%), who notoriously liked to keep the less athletic Brent Celek on the field more for his run blocking skills.

In fact, under Pederson, Travis Kelce, another tight end with high pass-catching acumen, played on 92% of snaps in 2015. This should lead to even more opportunity for Ertz to make plays, and Philly beat writers are already talking about the Eagles' plans to give the team's tight ends a major role in the offense.

While Ertz is currently going in the ninth round, I wouldn't hesitate to grab him in the late-seventh, early-eighth round range given the upside he brings to the table. There's a legitimate chance he could end up as a top-five tight end this season.