Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Brenton Strange

Friday, November 21, 3:17 PM

Fantasy managers should not put much stock into tight end T.J. Hockenson when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 12. The veteran has yet to reach 50 yards receiving in a game this season and is averaging just more than two catches per outing during the past month. Minnesota has struggled in back-to-back weeks with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, though Hockenson's fantasy output had diminished relative to prior years even before McCarthy returned from injury. In 10 games this season, Hockenson has finished within the top 10 fantasy tight ends only once, and managers should consider starting him only in formats that play more than one tight end.

Wednesday, November 26, 10:07 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange returned from the Injured Reserve in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals and showed no signs of rust. He converted on all five of his targets for 93 receiving yards. Strange has always been a favorite target of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and given their history together, Strange provides a reasonable floor as a tight end in PPR formats. His upside will be limited by the cluttered pass-catching room that now includes Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle), Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Strange. And while Lawrence is not the type of quarterback to make all of those pass-catchers a great fantasy play weekly, Strange's rapport with Lawrence provides a floor that makes him worth an add if you are struggling at the tight end position or lost Tucker Kraft (knee) or Sam LaPorta (back) to injury. Fantasy teams in a pinch, deep leagues, or even two flex spots can also consider Strange for that role. On the season, he's hauled in 25 of his 29 receptions for 297 yards in six games (one of which he was injured early on and did not return).