The Elephant in the Room Is No Longer Evan Engram
For two seasons, the primary obstacle to Brenton Strange’s fantasy relevance was Evan Engram. As the established pass-catching tight end, Engram commanded a significant target share, leaving Strange to pick up scraps. But the Jaguars released Engram in the 2025
offseason, and he subsequently signed with the Denver Broncos. This cleared the runway for Strange to assume the TE1 role, a move the organization solidified by signing him to a three-year contract extension in June 2026. The team committed to him as a core player, with both the General Manager and Head Coach praising his importance to the offense. The opportunity is finally his, but the target volume hasn't exploded in the way fantasy managers might have hoped.
An Offense of Overwhelming Force
The 2026 Jaguars have been a juggernaut, frequently blowing out opponents. This has led to game scripts where quarterback Trevor Lawrence isn't required to air it out, capping the pass attempts for everyone. In recent convincing wins over the Colts and Ravens, the offense leaned on efficiency, and Strange saw just two targets in each contest. It's a classic 'good problem for the team, bad problem for fantasy' situation. Despite playing the majority of snaps, Strange's recent target numbers are concerningly low. He saw a healthy run of targets before the bye week—with eight apiece against the Bengals and Eagles—but the last two games have been lean. The issue isn't a lack of talent; it's a lack of necessity in lopsided games.
Efficiency Is His Calling Card
When the ball does go his way, Strange has been remarkably effective. He is currently ranked 11th among all qualified tight ends in fantasy points per route run, showcasing his ability to make the most of his opportunities. He posted productive lines when featured more heavily, including a seven-catch, 95-yard performance against the Bengals. Even in the low-target game against the Colts, he turned one of his two catches into a 46-yard gain. This big-play ability is exactly what keeps fantasy managers intrigued. The Jaguars themselves see him as a weapon in both the run and pass game, not just a blocker, which was a key reason for his extension. His skill set suggests he can handle a much larger workload if the offensive game plan calls for it.
The Path to Consistent Production
So, what will it take for Strange to become the consistent TE1 fantasy managers crave? The answer lies in more competitive games. The Jaguars won't blow out every opponent, and in closer contests, Lawrence will need to lean on his reliable targets. Strange has proven to be that safety valve. Furthermore, the Jaguars' offseason moves hint at a desire to use more formations with multiple tight ends. The team drafted two tight ends, Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol, with the stated goal of creating matchup problems and being less predictable than they were in 2025, when they often used an extra offensive lineman as a blocking tight end. This schematic shift could lead to more designed plays for Strange, even with other tight ends on the field, as defenses are forced to account for multiple threats. It shows a commitment to the position that should benefit its top player.
