Hockenson
TE · MIN @ DET
Kickoff Sun 1:00 PM ET
Projected points10.3pts
Strange
TE · JAX vs IND
Kickoff Sun 1:00 PM ET
Projected points9.5pts
Toss-up
Bench
Brenton Strange or T.J. Hockenson: Who Should I Start in Week 8?
Toss-up. T.J. Hockenson gets the nod over Brenton Strange.
- Ahead by
- +0.8pts
- over Strange
- Confidence
- Lower
- Toss-up
- Started
- 75%
- of leagues
Case for Strange
The case for Strange is an offense expected to score more (28.3 points to 21.3) and a safer floor (6.1 to 5.6).
Flips if
Start Brenton Strange instead if you want an offense expected to score more (28.3 points to 21.3).
Risk
The risk: Strange faces a Colts defense without cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.
Highlights
HockensonToss-upTE · MIN @ DETUsually 12.2−1.9pts this week
Helps him
- 20%targetsHe draws 20% of his team’s targets, a lead share for a tight end.
- DETvs TEsEdgeDET is the softest defense for tight ends.
Hurts him
- −1.9pts3 linesCatches 4.5 (usual 5.2), receiving yards 40.0 (usual 46.0) and touchdowns 0.30 (usual 0.40) all sit below his usual.
StrangeFirst outTE · JAX vs INDUsually 10.0−0.5pts this week
Helps him
- +1.3ptstouchdownsHis lines put him at 0.38 touchdowns, above his usual 0.17.
- 28.3team totalEdgeHis team is expected to score 28.3 points, a high scoring spot.
Hurts him
- −1.7pts2 linesReceiving yards 37.5 (usual 46.5) and catches 3.5 (usual 4.3) both sit below his usual.
Points are what each line adds to or takes off his usual week. EdgeFrom the game around him.
Stat comparison
Every player you picked, stat by stat, most important first.
Stat
Scoring
ProjectionHockenson: 10.3 (best)Strange: 9.5
TD pointsof the projectionHockenson: 1.8Strange: 2.3 (best)
Expected TDsthis weekHockenson: 0.30Strange: 0.38 (best)
Projected team pointsHockenson: 21.3Strange: 28.3 (best)
Red zone targetsper gameHockenson: 1.2 (best)Strange: 0.5
Role
Snap shareHockenson: 64%Strange: 79% (best)
Usage worthptsHockenson: 9.4 (best)Strange: 9.1
Target shareHockenson: 20% (best)Strange: 19%
Targets / gameHockenson: 5.3Strange: 5.5 (best)
Air yards shareHockenson: 19% (best)Strange: 17%
Vacated targets this weekHockenson: 1.7 (best)Strange: 0.0
RZ target shareHockenson: 33% (best)Strange: 9%
Inside 10 target shareHockenson: 60% (best)Strange: 9%
Catch rateHockenson: 84% (best)Strange: 79%
SeparationHockenson: 2.9 ydsStrange: 3.1 yds (best)
YAC over expectedHockenson: −0.02Strange: +0.4 (best)
Usage worth vs scoredHockenson: Earned by usage 9.4Scored 10.5Strange: Earned by usage 9.1Scored 10.0
Receiving TDs vs RZ targetsHockenson: AboveStrange: Above
WOPRHockenson: 0.44 (best)Strange: 0.41
Range
FloorHockenson: 5.6Strange: 6.1 (best)
CeilingHockenson: 16.7 (best)Strange: 14.9
Points from TDssteadier when lowerHockenson: 19%Strange: 10%
Big weeks (15+ pts)Hockenson: 20% (best)Strange: 14%
Dud weeks (under 5 pts)lower is betterHockenson: 20%Strange: 18% (best)
SteadinessHockenson: Up & down±8.5 pts · 5 gamesStrange: Very steady (best)±4.6 pts
Matchup
Matchup gradevs his positionHockenson: A+ (best)2026, 6 gmStrange: B-2026, 7 gm
Game scriptHockenson: Expected to trailStrange: Expected to lead (best)
Opp takeaways / gamelower is betterHockenson: 1.0Strange: 0.4 (best)
Defense funnelHockenson: NeutralStrange: Neutral
Opp pass yds allowedHockenson: 32nd (soft) (best)Strange: 11th (average)
Starting QBHockenson: Murray (Active)Strange: Lawrence (Active)
Opp defender outHockenson: None listedStrange: Taylor-Britt (CB)
Roof / surfaceHockenson: DometurfStrange: Opengrass
Rest / scheduleHockenson: NormalStrange: Off a bye
Opp paceHockenson: 4th (fast) (best)Strange: 7th (fast)
Opp deep targets allowed / gameHockenson: 1.3 (best)32nd (soft)Strange: 0.723rd (soft)
Opp catch rate allowedHockenson: 77% (best)27th (soft)Strange: 68%7th (tough)
Form
Last 3 avgHockenson: 13.4 (best)Strange: 13.2
Last 5 avgHockenson: 9.8Strange: 9.9 (best)
vs seasonHockenson: +2.9 (Rising)Strange: +3.3 (Rising) (best)
Yards per route runHockenson: 2.24 (best)Strange: 2.08
Receiving aDOTHockenson: 6.8Strange: 7.7
Target share trendHockenson: Left Week 5 hurtStrange: Cooling
Crowd
Started in leaguesHockenson: 76% (best)Strange: 58%
Nuvela position ranklower is betterHockenson: TE9 (best)Strange: TE13
Yards linereceivingHockenson: 40.0 (best)Strange: 37.5
Deciding on someone else?
Choose 2 to 5 players for any week.