Week 1 fantasy football offers intriguing tight end options. Brenton Strange could see a boost with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Mason Taylor may emerge as a New York Jets’ hidden gem. Both players offer upside in a position that is often thin beyond the elite.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rostered: 21%
Strange walks into the starter’s gig with former TE1 Evan Engram now in Denver, and he’s shown after-the-catch juice in preseason. Last season, Strange averaged a respectable 8.5 PPG without Engram active.
This Jacksonville Jaguars offense should improve with new head coach Liam Coen’s aggressive, forward-thinking approach. There should be a consolidated target share between Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Strange.
Expect QB Trevor Lawrence to look his tight end’s way on third downs and inside the 10. Strange already worked in red zone and third-down personnel, and Jacksonville’s pass volume gives him upside.
Fantasy managers always need viable starting tight ends, with the position being so flat beyond the elite guys. Strange is largely an afterthought in fantasy drafts, but he could be at the forefront of managers’ minds after a game against a Panthers defense that allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends last season.
Mason Taylor, New York Jets
Rostered: 11%
Fantasy managers should not expect any sort of offensive explosion in the Week 1 game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. What we’re looking for is usage. This one is more speculative, but if we see Taylor operate as the Jets’ primary tight end, that will be very promising for what he can do going forward against lesser opponents.
The Jets have no clear second option in the passing game behind WR Garrett Wilson. It’s one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Taylor has as much upside, if not more, than any non-Wilson player on this roster.
In a league where there are only a handful of elite tight ends, both Strange and Taylor offer intriguing Week 1 upside for fantasy football managers.
Strange’s red-zone role in Jacksonville and Taylor’s potential target share in New York make them worthy of attention, especially for those looking to gain an edge at tight end. Monitoring usage and early-season performance could turn these under-the-radar options into key fantasy contributors.