Who Should I Start? Darnell Washington or Brenton Strange
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 23.5 | 0.1 |
Darnell Washington News
Monday, July 20, 6:59 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington enjoyed the first top 40 fantasy finish of his young career in 2025, but with changes coming to the Steelers offense ahead of his fourth season, his TE38 result could prove to be a high-water mark. After operating with an extra tight end on the field at one of the league's highest rates in 2025, the Steelers have moved on from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, with new head coach Mike McCarthy set to call plays and expected to heavily utilize three-receiver sets as he has throughout his career. Pittsburgh traded for two-time 1,000-yard receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and spent a second-round pick on Alabama's Germie Bernard, further suggesting a move away from the 2025 offense that ran primarily through its tight ends and running backs. Veteran Jonnu Smith, who led all Steelers tight ends with 57 targets in 2025, remains unsigned, but with Pittsburgh's offseason moves hinting at a de-emphasis on the position, those vacated looks are more likely to be spread among the new wide receivers. With sixth-year veteran Pat Freiermuth the more likely option to be regularly mixed into the passing offense, Washington is not a player drafters will need to target in 2026.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 38.0 | 0.3 |
Brenton Strange News
Friday, July 17, 10:00 AM
After recording career highs of 46 receptions, 540 yards, and three touchdowns in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $48 million dollars, and the only thing truly working against him heading into 2026 is the overall depth of the Jaguars' pass catchers. While certainly a luxury problem for an NFL offense, fantasy managers could face the frustration of trying to determine how targets will be allotted on a week-to-week basis. Jacksonville comes into the season with an impressive receiver room of Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and two-way player Travis Hunter, a foursome that did not see a single snap together in 2025. Working in Strange's favor is the obvious positional advantage that should see him on the field at close to an every-down rate. Strange missed five games in 2025 with a hip injury that landed him on injured reserve, but in returning for the final seven games of the regular season, he closed the year as the TE8. Now pushed entirely out of most drafts by the uncertainty of his situation, Strange remains a high-upside swing in deeper leagues, and at RotoBaller's TE18, he is certain to enter into the weekly streaming conversation in 2026.
Darnell Washington vs. Brenton Strange
Still trying to decide between Washington and Strange? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Darnell Washington is projected to score 5.3 points this week while Brenton Strange is projected to score 8.9 points.
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