Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brenton Strange vs Hayden HurstWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Brenton Strange is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.9 PPG to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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. Hayden Hurst at 3.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Brenton Strange higher, but do not fade Hayden Hurst entirely.

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

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19PPG LEADER

Brenton Strange

PPG

7.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TELos Angeles Chargers#99

Hayden Hurst

PPG

3.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

238

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Brenton Strange

Hayden Hurst

Head to Head

7.9 PPG3.7 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Hayden Hurst: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% of elite pace and Hayden Hurst at 17%. That ranking gap means Brenton Strange carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brenton Strange vs Hayden Hurst: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Brenton Strange and Hayden Hurst for your lineup, you are not alone. Brenton Strange finished the 2025 season at 7.9 PPG for the Jacksonville Jaguars (12 games), and Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 for the Los Angeles Chargers (14 games).

That 4.2-point weekly advantage for Brenton Strange is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Brenton Strange is the volume tight end in this matchup with 46 receptions for 540 yards, while Hayden Hurst profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 25 catches). In weeks where Hayden Hurst finds the end zone he out-scores Brenton Strange, but the floor gap is real.

One scheduling note: Brenton Strange is off Week 7 and Hayden Hurst Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Brenton Strange outscored Hayden Hurst by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Hayden Hurst played 14 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means Hayden Hurst 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

Brenton Strange vs Hayden Hurst: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brenton Strange	Hayden Hurst
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	3.7
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	52
Receptions	46	25
Rec/Game	3.8	1.8
Receiving Yards	540	238
Rec Yds/Game	45.0	17.0
Receiving TDs	3	1
Targets	60	35
Target Share/Game	5.0	2.5
Age	25	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Brenton Strange at 7.9 PPG, 4.2 points per game above Hayden Hurst's 3.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Hayden Hurst in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Brenton Strange has the edge at 7.9 PPG compared to Hayden Hurst's 3.7 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 Brenton Strange and Hayden Hurst average in 2025?▾

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Hayden Hurst averaged 3.7 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.2 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Hayden Hurst's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Hayden Hurst (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brenton Strange or Hayden Hurst a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange outscored Hayden Hurst by 4.2 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.