Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Hooper vs Brenton StrangeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.9 PPG to Austin Hooper's 4.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy play this season.

Brenton Strange is the better play on a neutral week. 7.9 PPG with 540 yards gives a reliable baseline. Austin Hooper at 4.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Brenton Strange higher, but do not fade Austin Hooper entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Austin Hooper and Brenton Strange in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

TENew England Patriots#99

Austin Hooper

PPG

4.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

292

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

TEJacksonville Jaguars#19PPG LEADER

Brenton Strange

PPG

7.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Austin Hooper

Brenton Strange

Head to Head

4.0 PPG7.9 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Hooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Austin Hooper is producing at 18% of elite pace and Brenton Strange at 36%. That ranking gap means Brenton Strange carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Hooper vs Brenton Strange: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Austin Hooper and Brenton Strange is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New England Patriots tight end put up 4.0 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Brenton Strange of the Jacksonville Jaguars averaged 7.9 in 12. A 3.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.9 points favors Brenton Strange, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one tight end to the other.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Brenton Strange posted 46 for 540. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Hooper sits Week 14 while Brenton Strange is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Brenton Strange is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Austin Hooper is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Austin Hooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Brenton Strange (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Brenton Strange outscored Austin Hooper by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Hooper played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means Austin Hooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Brenton Strange scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Brenton Strange saw 60 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Hooper vs Brenton Strange: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Hooper	Brenton Strange
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.0	7.9
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	60	95
Receptions	32	46
Rec/Game	2.1	3.8
Receiving Yards	292	540
Rec Yds/Game	19.5	45.0
Receiving TDs	1	3
Targets	42	60
Target Share/Game	2.8	5.0
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

7.9 PPG for Brenton Strange versus 4.0 for Austin Hooper in 2025. The baseline favors Brenton Strange, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Austin Hooper vs Brenton Strange

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Austin Hooper vs Brenton Strange

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Hooper or Brenton Strange in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brenton Strange has the edge at 7.9 PPG compared to Austin Hooper's 4.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Austin Hooper and Brenton Strange average in 2025?▾

Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Austin Hooper and Brenton Strange's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Hooper (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Hooper or Brenton Strange a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange outscored Austin Hooper by 3.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.