Who Should I Start? Brenton Strange or Mason Taylor

Sunday, May 25, 1:25 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange said on the O-Zone Podcast that he's ready to step into a bigger role with Even Engram now longer in town. "I'm definitely ready for it," Strange said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself and I've always had a lot of confidence in myself. I feel like I'm always one of the best players on the field. I feel like that's the mentality I bring." In 17 games (10 starts) last year, Strange finished third on the team with 40 catches and second with 411 receiving yards while scoring twice. Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long and Quintin Morris, who are behind Strange on the TE depth chart, had 31 combined receptions in 2024. Strange certainly has opportunity, but he's unlikely to be better than the third target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the passing attack when he's not blocking. At best, consider Strange a TE2 with upside in fantasy.

Tuesday, April 29, 4:39 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that rookie second-round tight end Mason Taylor will immediately walk into the Jets building at the top of the tight end depth chart going into his rookie season in 2025. Jeremy Ruckert projects as the No. 2, but he has yet to make an impact since the Jets drafted him in 2022. The Jets are at least hoping he can take a step forward as a blocker and contribute in the running game. The 20-year-old Taylor not only will be a starter immediately, but he could see plenty of targets from quarterback Justin Fields in his first year in the NFL, giving him TE1 fantasy upside in 2025. Outside of WR1 Garrett Wilson, the Jets don't exactly star-studded receiving depth in Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard and Arian Smith. Taylor will have intriguing rookie upside, but he'll still be better off drafted as a TE2 sleeper than a staple for those in single-TE leagues.