Brenton Strange vs Michael Mayer
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Brenton Strange by 0.7 projected points (9.1 vs 8.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Brenton Strange faces PHI, the 23rd-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Michael Mayer faces NE, the 19th-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Brenton Strange: a clear but modest edge of 13.5 points of value over replacement (-33.5 vs -47.1).
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Brenton StrangeJAX | Michael MayerLVR | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | PHI | NE | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 9.1 | 8.4 | Strange +0.7 pts |
| Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 30) | #23 | #19 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 158.4 | 144.9 | Strange +13.5 pts |
| Points per game | 9.3 | 8.5 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -33.5 | -47.1 | Strange +13.5 |
| Overall rank | #112 | #126 | Strange by 14 |
| Position rank | TE17 | TE20 | |
| Market ADP | 162.8 | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 14 | - | |
| Bye week | 7 | 13 |
Should I start Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Brenton Strange by 0.7 projected points (9.1 vs 8.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer in 2026 fantasy football?
Brenton Strange. He projects 158.4 fantasy points with -33.5 value over replacement, vs 144.9 points and -47.1 for Michael Mayer (TE, PPR).