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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Brenton Strange vs Jake FergusonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Brenton Strange's 7.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jake Ferguson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jake Ferguson edges Brenton Strange by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jake Ferguson goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19
Brenton Strange
PPG
7.9
Games
12
Rec
46
Rec Yds
540
Rec TDs
3
Targets
60
Bye
Week 7
TEDallas Cowboys#14PPG LEADER
Jake Ferguson
PPG
8.7
Games
17
Rec
82
Rec Yds
600
Rec TDs
8
Targets
102
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Brenton Strange
Jake Ferguson

Head to Head

7.9 PPG8.7 PPG
12 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% of elite pace and Jake Ferguson at 40%. That ranking gap means Jake Ferguson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Brenton Strange vs Jake Ferguson: The Full Breakdown

Brenton Strange (7.9 PPG) and Jake Ferguson (8.7 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two tight ends are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Brenton Strange played 12 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars; Jake Ferguson suited up 17 times for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Jake Ferguson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 82 receptions for 600 yards, while Brenton Strange profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (3 scores on 46 catches). In weeks where Brenton Strange finds the end zone he out-scores Jake Ferguson, but the floor gap is real.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brenton Strange sits Week 7 while Jake Ferguson is off Week 14. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Brenton Strange (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jake Ferguson outscored Brenton Strange by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jake Ferguson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means Jake Ferguson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
  • Jake Ferguson saw 102 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 Jake Ferguson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBrenton StrangeJake Ferguson
PPG (Half-PPR)7.98.7
Games Played1217
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)95148
Receptions4682
Rec/Game3.84.8
Receiving Yards540600
Rec Yds/Game45.035.3
Receiving TDs38
Targets60102
Target Share/Game5.06.0
Age2527
Experience2 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jake Ferguson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 points per game. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Jake Ferguson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jake Ferguson has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Brenton Strange's 7.9 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 Jake Ferguson average in 2025?

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Jake Ferguson's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Brenton Strange or Jake Ferguson a better fantasy tight end in 2026?

Jake Ferguson outscored Brenton Strange by 0.8 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.

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