Brenton Strange  |  Penn State 6’4” 253 lbs.  | 12/27/2000 (22) 

PAST PRODUCTION (College)

Brenton Strange was a four-star recruit coming out of high school who redshirted for Penn State in 2019, after playing in two games and making one catch (a four-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis, who later transferred to Kentucky). Strange earned five starts in nine games played during the 2020 covid-season, catching 17 passes for 164 yards and two TDs. He started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions in 2021, grabbing 20 receptions for 225 yards and three TDs. Strange earned third-team All-Big Ten Conference honors as a junior, recording 32 receptions for 362 yards and scoring five times in 13 starts. 

Strange was used as a blocker more than as a receiver throughout his career for Penn State. He is arguably the best in-line blocker of all the rookie TEs coming out in 2023, rivaling Darnell Washington. He also has experience as a lead blocker in space. Strange is a ready and willing participant when it comes to contact, with or without the ball in his hands. He is very athletic and was underutilized by the Nittany Lions. His catch production is pedestrian, but he is athletic as a route runner and has shown to be a powerful and agile runner after the catch.

Strange has greatly flown under the radar this offseason in rookie and start-up drafts alike, most likely because this is such a deep and great class for TEs. However, there is a reason he was selected at the end of the second round of the NFL Draft–this was not a reach. Strange garnered a 9.7% target share in his final two collegiate seasons. Strange offers a three-down skillset as a TE.  What better place to grow and develop than with a young, ascending team coached by Doug Pederson and led by franchise QB Trevor Lawrence?

2023 OUTLOOK

Even though he measured in at 6’4” and 253 lbs. at the NFL Scouting Combine, fantasy football platforms and analysts incorrectly list him at 6’3” and under 250 lbs. Strange certainly has the prototypical size for an NFL TE. He also has experience working out of the slot, as a wing, or from the fullback position. 

Coming to the Jaguars with his ability and draft capital, Brenton Strange immediately jumps into their TE2 spot on the team. He is surrounded by playmakers, as the Jacksonville skill players boast Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram, Travis Etienne, Zay Jones, and Tank Bigsby. While Evan Engram is certainly the lead dog in the TE room, it is important to remember that Engram is playing this season on a one-year contract. Jacksonville is considered a strong player across US sportsbooks with a low deposit.

Dynasty owners will have to wait on their investments in Brenton Strange. The good news is, this offseason and the Twitter community has shown that the investment will not have to be an expensive one. If Evan Engram does go down with an injury, Strange is a competent replacement who should see some targets, but ultimately, his presence would help improve the running game most immediately (as Engram is not a blocker). 

DYNASTY ANALYSIS

It is important for dynasty owners to understand the importance of patience and allowing players to develop. While all the hype is surrounding Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer, and Sam LaPorta, Strange can be stolen in the latter half of the third and sometimes the fourth round of dynasty rookie drafts. Strange has reliable hands, but where he really shines is after the catch. Strange is a much better athlete than any analysts realize yet, and he was one of the hardest open-field tackles at the TE position in the entire nation. He boasts contact balance, size, and toughness, as well as the demeanor desired for the position at the next level.

Strange’s main area for improvement would be to improve his route running and separation skills. If he can develop in this area, paired with the QB and offense where he has landed, he has the potential to break out as a top-15 TE in 2023 and beyond. Evan Engram is currently playing on the franchise tag, and the Jags will be looking at Trevor Lawrence’s impending massive comment come next year. Strange will have every opportunity to seize the TE role in Jacksonville, attached to an offense that looks promising for the foreseeable future.  

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