T.J. Hockenson vs Brenton Strange

Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.

TE20
T.J. Hockenson
MIN · Bye 6
113.2
projected 2026 points (PPR)
Season-long pick
VS
TE21
Brenton Strange
JAX · Bye 7
109.6
projected 2026 points (PPR)

Who to start in Week 3

This week is a coin flip. The model leans T.J. Hockenson by 0.7 projected points (7.4 vs 6.8), close enough that either call is defensible.

T.J. Hockenson faces TB, the 3rd-friendliest matchup a TE can draw this week. Brenton Strange faces NE, the 11th-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

This one is a coin flip. The model leans T.J. Hockenson by 3.6 points of value over replacement (-65.2 vs -68.9), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.

The draft market agrees: T.J. Hockenson goes first at ADP 162.0 vs 162.8 for Brenton Strange.

Setting your whole lineup? Sync your league and get a start/sit call for every roster slot, adjusted for this week's matchups and practice reports.
Optimize my lineup
T.J. HockensonMIN Brenton StrangeJAX Edge
Week 3 opponent TB NE
Projected Week 3 points 7.4 6.8 Hockenson +0.7 pts
Matchup rank (TE vs defense, of 32) #3 #11
Projected 2026 points (PPR) 113.2 109.6 Hockenson +3.6 pts
Points per game 6.7 6.4
Value over replacement (VBD) -65.2 -68.9 Hockenson +3.6
Overall rank #144 #148 Hockenson by 4
Position rank TE20 TE21
Market ADP 162.0 162.8 Strange +0.8 cheaper
Typical round (12-team) Rd 14 Rd 14
Bye week 6 7

Should I start T.J. Hockenson or Brenton Strange in Week 3?

This week is a coin flip. The model leans T.J. Hockenson by 0.7 projected points (7.4 vs 6.8), close enough that either call is defensible.

Should I draft T.J. Hockenson or Brenton Strange in 2026 fantasy football?

T.J. Hockenson. He projects 113.2 fantasy points with -65.2 value over replacement, vs 109.6 points and -68.9 for Brenton Strange (TE, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.