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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Brenton Strange or Jonnu SmithWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Jonnu Smith over Brenton Strange in 2026.

Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) and Brenton Strange (7.9) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Smith also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 12, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Jonnu Smith and Brenton Strange are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

TEMiami DolphinsPPG LEADER

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Brenton Strange

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

7.9 PPG8.2 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 2 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Unranked TE. Among the top 30 tight ends this season, Brenton Strange is producing at 36% of elite pace and Jonnu Smith at 37%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Brenton Strange vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Brenton Strange (7.9 PPG) and Jonnu Smith (8.2 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; Jonnu Smith suited up 15 times for the Miami Dolphins.

A 0.3-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.

Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Brenton Strange had 46 catches for 540 yards; Jonnu Smith posted 52 for 562. 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: Brenton Strange sits Week 7 while Jonnu Smith is off Week 6. 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. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jonnu Smith outscored Brenton Strange by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonnu Smith played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means Jonnu Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonnu Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 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 Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brenton Strange	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	8.2
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	123
Receptions	46	52
Rec/Game	3.8	3.5
Receiving Yards	540	562
Rec Yds/Game	45.0	37.5
Receiving TDs	3	4
Targets	60	68
Target Share/Game	5.0	4.5
Age	25	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonnu Smith at 8.2 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Brenton Strange's 7.9. 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 Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonnu Smith has the edge at 8.2 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.

Should I draft Brenton Strange or Jonnu Smith in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Jonnu Smith and Brenton Strange come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Brenton Strange's 7.9, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Brenton Strange and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Brenton Strange or Jonnu Smith a better fantasy tight end in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith outscored Brenton Strange by 0.3 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.