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TE Strength of Schedule

Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

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Bowers could have big year one


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the tight end position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to tight ends last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the tight ends with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the tight ends that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  TE SOS  
1. Cincinnati Bengals 186.39
2. Miami Dolphins 193.98
3. Philadelphia Eagles 196.38
4. Washington Commanders 197.75
5. Houston Texans 198.15
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 199.18
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 199.68
8. New York Giants 201
9. Dallas Cowboys 201.18
10. Los Angeles Rams 201.38
11. Buffalo Bills 201.39
12. Chicago Bears 201.66
13. Arizona Cardinals 201.76
14. New York Jets 202.56
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 202.86
16. Baltimore Ravens 203.04
17. Denver Broncos 203.95
18. Los Angeles Chargers 204.02
19. Atlanta Falcons 204.25
20. Cleveland Browns 204.59
21. New Orleans Saints 205.62
22. Seattle Seahawks 205.73
23. San Francisco 49ers 206.80
24. Indianapolis Colts 206.89
25. Detroit Lions 207.92
26. New England Patriots 208.23
27. Kansas City Chiefs 210.92
28. Tennessee Titans 211.44
29. Green Bay Packers 212.07
30. Minnesota Vikings 212.23
31. Carolina Panthers 213.66
32. Las Vegas Raiders 213.81


A rookie led fantasy tight ends in scoring last year and the top rated rookie tight end this year gets the easiest fantasy schedule for tight end. Brock Browers and the Raiders have the most favorable schedule for tight ends. Sam LaPorta showed last year that a rookie can make an immediate fantasy impact, so don’t discount Browers to have big-time success in year one. He certainly looks the part of an elite tight end.

Another rookie with a good chance to start has the second easiest schedule for tight ends. Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with Tommy Tremble to start, but should emerge and be the top pass-catching tight end. He is looking like a good late-round gamble for fantasy teams.

The Vikings, Packers and Titans round out the top-five most favorable schedules for tight ends. T.J. Hockenson would be looking like a great pick if he wasn’t returning from a major injury. He is no sure thing to play early in the year. But once he is healthy, he could help fantasy teams in a big way once again.

Green Bay is likely to have Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft split a lot of the work at tight end, hurting both their value. They could produce some big games along the way, though, making them decent No. 2 fantasy tight ends this season. Both produced well in an expanded role last year.

Lastly, Chin Okonkwo didn’t quite have the breakout season many hoped last year, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Maybe he gets a few more chances this year and has some bigger games along the way with this favorable schedule. He is another decent tight end to grab as your backup.

The teams that top the list for toughest fantasy tight end schedules are teams that haven’t really utilized the tight end much in recent seasons. The Bengals have the toughest schedule followed bye the Dolphins. Mike Gesicki is the starter for the Bengals, but probably isn’t worth the risk with this schedule and the Bengals recent track record with tight ends.

Miami uses their tight ends to block more than anything in their offense. They have the occasional big game, but Jonnu Smith is going to be a risky weekly fantasy play. He would have looked much better landing with a different team.

There are a couple big-time fantasy tight ends that have unfavorable schedules. Dallas Goedert has the third toughest schedule. Goedert can be a little hit or miss to begin with in this offense, so this schedule gives him a little more concern. You might want to pass on him come draft day and go with another elite tight end with a better schedule and more consistency.

Dalton Schultz is the other elite tight end with a top-five unfavorable schedule. Schultz had a big first season with the Texans, becoming a favorite target of C.J. Stroud. He should get the targets this year. But he has a challenging schedule and more to compete with for targets, so his consistency might be a little off this year compared to last. 

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy tight ends. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the tight ends with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big-money contests.

  TE PLAYOFF SOS  
1. Atlanta Falcons 175
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 182.37
3. Philadelphia Eagles 184.73
4. Arizona Cardinals 187.67
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 187.77
6. New England Patriots 189.83
7. Miami Dolphins 190.37
8. New Orleans Saints 191.3
9. Los Angeles Rams 192.17
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 192.43
11. Cincinnati Bengals 196.1
12. Detroit Lions 196.12
13. Houston Texans 196.2
14. Indianapolis Colts 198.97
15. Buffalo Bills 199.63
16. Kansas City Chiefs 203.03
17. New York Jets 204.13
18. Carolina Panthers 205.7
19. Baltimore Ravens 205.9
20. Green Bay Packers 207.7
21. Chicago Bears 213.73
22. New York Giants 214.27
23. Seattle Seahawks 214.72
24. Cleveland Browns 214.97
25. Dallas Cowboys 215.8
26. Las Vegas Raiders 219.4
27. Washington Commanders 220.13
28. Denver Broncos 220.8
29. Minnesota Vikings 221.72
30. Tennessee Titans 223.73
31. San Francisco 49ers 225.53
32. Los Angeles Chargers 228.53


The Titans and Vikings are the only two teams with the most favorable fantasy schedule for tight ends during the regular season and playoffs. Hockenson is the intriguing one because he might not be fully healthy until late in the season. So while he might not be a huge fantasy factor for the regular season, Hockenson might be a difference maker in the playoffs.

Okonkwo is looking like a player worth grabbing as a No. 2 fantasy tight end, especially if you have an established starter ahead of him. Okonkwo has a high fantasy ceiling for the coming year because of a schedule that could facilitate a breakout season for him.

The Chargers actually have the best fantasy playoff schedule for tight ends. Donald Parham is the likely starter and has some potential in an offense looking for playmakers in the passing game. This could be his best season to date, making him an intriguing late-round gamble.

George Kittle is the biggest name on the list for top-five favorable fantasy tight end playoff schedules. He is going to produce big and could be even better down the stretch with a schedule setup for success.

The Falcons have the most challenging playoff schedule for fantasy tight ends. This is not good news for Kyle Pitts. He is already a polarizing fantasy player, so this schedule won’t do him any favors to get in good graces with more fantasy owners. Many think he could finally turn things around this year with a new coaching staff in place, but nothing is certain with this situation. Pitts could be a boom or bust pick once again.

The Eagles are the only team on both the top five most difficult fantasy schedules for tight ends for the regular season and playoffs. Goedert is looking like a player you might want to let someone else grab come draft day. There are a lot of good, young options at tight end this year. Going with one of those guys over Goedert might be the play on draft day.

Trey McBride is a favorite for many fantasy owners this year for a breakout season. He had a huge finish to last year and is shooting up draft boards. We wouldn’t avoid him come draft day because he has the fourth toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is a little bit of a concern, but not a huge red flag for the talented tight end. Maybe just prepare for his numbers to dip a tad during the playoffs.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Joe Burrow Sep 24 1:20pm CT
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Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, according to NFL.com. The 10-year NFL veteran left the Monday night game against the Washington Commanders early after suffering the injury, and he will not be able to make it back this season. This is a significant blow for the Bengals, who are sitting in a 0-3 hole after Week 3. With quarterback Joe Burrow's recent injury history, losing a key piece of the team's pass protection is far from ideal. Amarius Mims, who was the No. 18 overall pick out of Georgia in the 2024 NFL Draft, will take over starting duties at right tackle.

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Greg Joseph Sep 24 1:10pm CT
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New York Giants kicker Greg Joseph will remain the starter in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Stellar kicker Graham Gano (hamstring) is sidelined with a hamstring injury, so Joseph will get another shot. The veteran missed his lone field goal try against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, but he connected on all three of his extra-point attempts. Joseph has been good at times throughout his career, but he's not anywhere near the fantasy football radar this week.

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Skylar Thompson Sep 24 1:00pm CT
Skylar Thompson

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said variables are vague with the quarterback decision for Week 4 on Monday night against the Tennessee Titans as Skylar Thompsons' (ribs) health continues to be assessed over the coming 48 hours. "There's a lot of stuff on the table," McDaniel said. Thompson's status for Week 4 is firmly up in the air after he injured his ribs in the Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is on Injured Reserve and nobody knows when/if he'll play again, so if Thompson doesn't get cleared, the Dolphins will have to decide between Tim Boyle and Tyler Huntley to start on Monday night. Thompson went 13-for-19 for 107 yards against Seattle on Sunday before getting hurt. No matter who is under center for Miami in Week 4, it's going to be more bad news for running back De'Von Achane and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

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Tua Tagovailoa Sep 24 12:50pm CT
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) will meet with outside neurologists this week, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. "The plan hasn't changed. It's been executed. That's where it stands. I don't know reports, who sources are, but people should talk to me. I've got the real information," McDaniel said. After suffering another scary concussion in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa has been placed on Injured Reserve and is without a timetable to return as he focuses on his health first and foremost. The 26-year-old signal-caller reportedly has no plans to retire, but that could change after he meets with neurologists this week. Backup Skylar Thompson (ribs) got the start in the Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and was hurt, so the Dolphins could be forced to start Tim Boyle or Tyler Huntley in Week 4 on Monday night versus the Tennessee Titans.

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Nick Herbig Sep 24 12:40pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) will all be out for the Week 4 contest against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday. A groin injury forced Highsmith from the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers early. The 27-year-old isn't expected to need surgery on his groin, but he could very well miss multiple weeks due to his injury. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues will obviously need to move Highsmith to their benches and go with a backup option at defensive line in Week 4 and possibly beyond. With Highsmith out this weekend, Nick Herbig will have a bigger pass-rushing role for a strong Steelers defense opposite All-Pro T.J. Watt. Through three games, Highsmith has 11 tackles (six solo), a sack and one pass breakup.

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Najee Harris Sep 24 12:30pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (arm) was in a sling on Monday, but head coach Mike Tomlin said it's not a concern. "Naj will be ready to rock and roll," Tomlin said. Harris will probably be on this week's injury report and could be limited in some practices, but it sounds like the Steelers fully expect him to suit up this Sunday for a Week 4 tilt against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren (knee) needed an MRI exam on his knee after the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and is looking iffy to play early this week, so Harris could be in line for a bigger workload against Indy. Harris injured his right arm against LA but never left the game and finished with 23 total touches. Even if Warren is given the green light to play on Sunday, the 26-year-old Harris should be in line for heavy volume.

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Jaylen Warren Sep 24 12:30pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Teresa Varley writes that running back Jaylen Warren's (knee) status appears to be in question for the Week 4 contest on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Warren apparently injured his knee in the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and had an MRI exam on Monday. It's unclear what Warren's MRI results were, but there appears to be a very real chance that he won't play this weekend, which could lead to an even bigger workload in the backfield for Najee Harris. We should have a better idea of the 25-year-old Warren's status for Week 4 once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday, but Warren is expected to be limited to start the week. He hasn't been a viable RB3/flex play through the first three weeks in 2024, seeing 14 carries for 54 yards and catching all five of his targets for 28 yards.

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Justin Fields Sep 24 12:20pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that the team is in the same place with quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) health-wise heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and the veteran signal-caller will likely be limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. "As we walk into the building tomorrow, I want Justin Fields singularly focused on starting for us," Tomlin said. Wilson was named the starter under center at the start of training camp but aggravated a calf issue before the season-opener, and Fields has taken over and led Pittsburgh to a surprising 3-0 start. While Fields hasn't been amazing, he's done enough to hold off the recovering Wilson. The 25-year-old has completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 yards, two TDs and one pick while carrying the ball 28 times for 90 yards and another TD. Fields will be a high-end QB2 in Week 4.

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Adam Thielen Sep 24 12:10pm CT
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The Carolina Panthers are placing wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to the right-hamstring injury he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, according to a source. There is no timetable on Thielen, but he's expected back sooner than later. Thielen will now be required to miss at least four games, so the earliest he could return would be in Week 8 versus the Denver Broncos. It's a tough blow for fantasy managers that held onto Thielen after a rough first two weeks. The 34-year-old veteran had three catches for 40 yards and his first touchdown of the year in Week 3, though, with quarterback Andy Dalton taking over for the struggling Bryce Young. Thielen isn't a must-stash by any means while he's out, and while he's sidelined, Diontae Johnson, rookie Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo will all see a boost in targets.

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Justin Jefferson Sep 24 12:10pm CT
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday that the team isn't concerned about wide receiver Justin Jefferson's hand injury or his availability for the Week 4 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packer at Lambeau Field. Jefferson jammed one of the fingers on his right hand in the Week 3 win over the Houston Texans, but it didn't slow him down one bit, as the 25-year-old All-Pro wideout caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown on the day on his six targets. X-rays after the game showed no fractures in his finger, so he'll be good to go this weekend, although he might be listed on the team's injury report. Jefferson was one of the first receivers off the board in the first round of fantasy drafts for a reason and he already leads the league with three touchdowns through three weeks while catching 14 of his 21 targets for a healthy 273 yards.

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Noah Brown Sep 24 8:50am CT
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown caught three passes for 29 yards on three targets in the team's win over Cincinnati on Monday night. The former Cowboys wide receiver was involved mostly in the short passing game for Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin was by far the most productive Washington wide receiver in this game but Brown did have a role to play on the outside. With Luke McCaffrey as the slot receiver, Brown could become more involved as the outside receiver opposite McLaurin. But Daniels looks to run often and there aren't a ton of opportunities for receivers to make big plays in this offense. It's best to leave Brown on the fantasy waiver wire.

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Mike Gesicki Sep 24 8:40am CT
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had four catches for 47 yards on five targets in the team's Monday night loss to Washington. Gesicki did not find the end zone but was decently productive as the team's third-leading receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase and Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki has always been a big red-zone threat so a lot of his value is dependent on him scoring touchdowns, which is not uncommon for fantasy tight ends. Backup tight end Erick All, Jr., caught all four of his targets, which cut into Gesicki's production a bit in this one. The veteran tight end, however, should be a threat week-to-week to find the end zone and remains on the fantasy radar at the position although he is not a weekly starter.

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Chase Brown Sep 24 8:30am CT
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown rushed seven times for 62 yards to lead the team in rushing in a loss to Washington on Monday night. Brown was out-carried 12-7 by starter Zack Moss but was the more efficient runner on Monday night. Moss got the 1-yard TD at the end of the game and was more effective in the receiving game. Brown did catch two passes for seven yards on three targets. The 8.9 yards per carry is a positive sign for the second-year back as he looks to establish more of a role for himself. The Bengals are going to use both Moss and Brown so Brown's production figures to fluctuate game-to-game. Brown is a great handcuff and has some standalone value but he is not yet a fantasy starter in most weeks.

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Curtis Samuel Sep 24 8:20am CT
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel did not factor heavily into the Bills Week 3 offensive output against Jacksonville. The Bills put up 47 points but Samuel had three catches for 22 yards and one rush for no gain. Josh Allen and the Bills spread the ball around in this one and Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, and Ty Johnson each caught a touchdown pass and James Cook and Ray Davis scored rushing TDs. Samuel hasn't found a consistent piece of the Bills offensive pie yet this season after coming over from Washington in the offseason. With so many offensive weapons, it's hard to see Samuel making a big fantasy impact this season.

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Gabriel Davis Sep 24 8:10am CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis saw six targets against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night but could only turn those into two catches for 18 yards. Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas, Jr., saw most of the targets for the Jaguars as they were routed by the Bills in Buffalo. Davis was unable to get loose against his former team in this one. Even at his most productive in Buffalo, Davis was a boom-or-bust fantasy option. The big-play threat has yet to break free for a long catch from Trevor Lawrence this season. With Kirk and Thomas ahead of him on the receiving pecking order and tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) likely to take targets away from him upon his return, Davis is best left on the waiver wire.

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Brian Thomas Jr. Sep 24 1:00am CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. caught five of nine targets in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The rookie first-round receiver had a solid outing despite the blowout and looks like a high upside fantasy option in the future for patient fantasy managers. The Jaguars offense has struggled through three weeks, but BTJ has been solid despite that. In Week 1, BTJ caught a touchdown, in Week 2, he had 94 yards receiving, and in Week 3, he had his most targets and receptions so far. If the LSU product can put it all together, he could be in for a big game very soon. Given his baseline talent level, despite being a part of a rough offense, the rookie receiver should continue to serve as a high upside flex option going forward. BTJ and the Jaguars offense faces yet another tough defense in the Houston Texans in Week 4.

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Jalen Mills Sep 24 12:53am CT
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Christian Kirk Sep 24 12:50am CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk was the team's best performer in an otherwise rough night in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Jaguars put up a stinker on Monday Night Football, but fantasy managers who kept faith in Kirk should be happy with an eight catch, 79 yard performance, especially in PPR leagues. That led the team in both categories, a drastic turn from his two catches for 29 yards in the first two games. Despite the good performance, it will still be hard to trust Kirk going forward giving how bad the Jaguars offense has looked so far. The matchups will also not get any easier over the next few weeks, so expectations should remain low for Kirk and the Jaguars offense. However, the former Arizona Cardinal could maintain a WR3 level in PPR leagues if he continues to earn targets. Kirk will look to build on this bounce back performance in Week 4 against the Houston Texans.

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Travis Etienne Sep 24 12:40am CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. was solid despite game script being against him in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Etienne Jr. didn't get a touchdown this week for the first time this season, but he put up a solid 68 yards rushing on 11 attempts as well as 17 yards on four receptions. The Clemson product has maintained an RB2 level so far this season, as given the Jaguars offense is struggling, his upside is limited. The Jaguars have faced three good defenses so far, but either way, the offense has not looked good at all. Etienne Jr. has been one of the few bright spots of the offense, and if it can manage to get going anytime soon, he may be in for a big game. For now, the 25-year-old back will struggle to stand out in fantasy, but will maintain a solid floor heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Houston Texans.

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Brenton Strange Sep 24 12:40am CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange only caught two passes, but one was for the team's only touchdown in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished with 17 yards receiving, catching two of his five targets. Taking over for Evan Engram once again, Strange was a little quieter from a yards perspective compared to last week, but the touchdown gave him a respectable fantasy output. The second-year tight end will likely move back to his original role of clear backup to Engram once the starter returns from injury, but for now, Strange is a solid starting option for teams in desperate need of tight end help, which seems to be most fantasy managers so far this season. As with most tight ends, Strange has a low floor but enough of a ceiling where he is a startable option as long as Engram is out. He will look to catch another touchdown in a Week 4 matchup with the Houston Texans.

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