Fantasy Football: Zach Ertz, Rob Gronkowski, Eric Decker start / sit

A look at two tight ends and a wide receiver heading into Week 3 of the NFL season.

Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles

If you haven’t received much production at tight end this season, it’s OK. Keep calm. You’re not alone.

Greg Olsen has been the top fantasy tight end so far this season and his total numbers are solid, but far from Gronk-like. Olsen has 12 receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown. Compare him to a guy like Atlanta’s Jacob Tamme, who has 11 catches for 126 yards and one touchdown. Not much difference there between the best healthy TE in the game and a guy who is owned in just 30 percent of Yahoo leagues.

So – Zach Ertz owners. In no way should you be counting on him this week. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said that Ertz will be a game-time decision. In other words, he won’t be healthy against a Steelers defense that has been surprisingly strong so far this year.

Pittsburgh’s “D” gives up a ton of yardage through the air (347 yards so far – second worst in the league), but the Steelers have allowed just one passing touchdown this season.

Verdict: Sit

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

As mentioned above, there are plenty of serviceable tight ends available on the waiver wires. None will get you great numbers, but as has been the case for a few years now, we know this to be a “Gronk and everyone else” deal at TE.

So will Gronk play on Thursday? He said it’ll be a coach’s decision at gametime. He also said he’s “improving every single day” when it comes to his health.

That doesn’t sound too promising, and given that Jacoby Brissett or maybe even Julian Edelman will be throwing the ball for the Pats on Thursday – this is a big stay-away.

Verdict: Sit

Eric Decker, WR, Jets

Decker told ESPN radio that he will “definitely” play against the Chiefs. The same can’t be said for the Jets’ No. 1 wideout in Brandon Marshall. Even if Marshall plays, his injury seems much worse than Decker’s so it’s entirely possible that Decker becomes Ryan Fitzpatrick’s go-to guy at Arrowhead.

San Diego had great success against the Chiefs’ blah defense in Week 1 as Keenan Allen was shredding KC before his season-ending injury. Tyrell Williams also racked up 71 yards of receiving on just two catches in that one.

Then, this past Sunday DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller both had 100-yard days against the Chiefs.

Verdict: Definite start