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Brenton Strange vs Rico Dowdle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

TEJacksonville Jaguars
Brenton Strange
PPG
7.9
Games
12
Rec
46
Rec Yds
540
Rec TDs
3
Targets
60
Bye
Week 12
RBPittsburgh SteelersPPG LEADER
Rico Dowdle
PPG
11.6
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,076
Rush TDs
6
Rec
39
Rec Yds
297
Bye
Week 9

Head to Head

7.9 PPG11.6 PPG
12 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 9

Brenton Strange vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Brenton Strange (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars) against Rico Dowdle (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG in 2025 over 12 games, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Brenton Strange has his bye in Week 12, Rico Dowdle in Week 9. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

The Bottom Line

Rico Dowdle outscored Brenton Strange by 3.7 PPG in 2025 (11.6 to 7.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 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 Rico Dowdle average in 2025?

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 12, and Rico Dowdle (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.