Brenton Strange

Summary

Brenton Strange was selected in the 2nd Round (#61 Overall) in the 2023 Draft out of Penn State. At Penn State, he caught 70 passes for 755 yards and 11 touchdowns across 37 games, showing steady growth each year with his best season in 2022 (32 catches, 362 yards, 5 TDs). In the NFL through 2025, Strange has 73 receptions for 788 yards and 4 touchdowns over 38 games after being buried on the depth chart early in his career behind veteran Evan Engram. Strange is widely recognized as a competitive, physical blocker and improving receiving weapon. Strange is a high-energy, ass-kicking team-first player who contributes in multiple phases (blocking, receiving, YAC) and is one of the most underrated players at his position in the NFL.

Strengths

• Size & Frame for the Position: At ~6′4″ and 253 lbs, Strange has ideal tight end size with the reach and body control to shield defenders and win contested situations and also lay the lumber on both linebackers and even defensive linemen in the run game.

• Blocking Ability: One of his standout traits; he’s an excellent blocker in the run game and pass protection, consistently engaging defenders and sustaining blocks multiple levels downfield and driving them into the ground through the whistle.

• Catch Radius & Hands: Shows soft hands and an enormous catch radius, especially over the middle and in traffic, making him a high-percentage target in short and intermediate areas. Strange exhibits outstanding kinesthetic sense in moving his body in the air and can contort to misplaced passes, making him a weapon in the red zone.

• Yards After Catch Potential – Frenetic burst and creative movement after receptions make him dangerous for YAC opportunities, particularly on intermediate crossing routes and quick outs.

Weaknesses

• Route-Running Refinement: While effective in many areas, Strange still needs improvement in precision route execution, particularly on advanced route concepts and option/adjustment routes where defenders can undercut breaks.

• Press Coverage Hand-Fight Time: As a product of almost wanting to be too physical, Strange can be slow getting off against press coverage, spending too much effort on hand fighting instead of snapping off the line and creating immediate separation.

• Not a True Speed Threat: His athletic profile is solid but not elite unlike his mentor Evan Engram. As a more balanced archetype, Strange must rely more on twitch and manipulation rather than burst to win.

• Volume & Target Ceiling Uncertain: This is more of a “fantasy guy” grief. His college usage was moderate, and even with increased opportunity in the NFL, his role is not yet a go-to focal receiving presence — which may limit his ceiling as a pure passing TE.

Outlook

Strange projects as a well-rounded, three-down tight end who can be a reliable contributor in both the passing and run games. His strongest traits, blocking effectiveness and catch radius. fit especially well in offensive schemes that emphasize balanced formations, play-action, and YAC opportunities out of intermediate routes, such as the one Liam Coen employs. In Jacksonville’s offense, he has grown into a more featured role, stepping up as a consistent target and key blocker, particularly with veteran tight ends departing, and his return from injury has shown he can impact games immediately with yards after catch and physical run support. Strange’s outlook is positive and ascending. If he continues refining his route depth, separation techniques, and consistency as a receiver, he has the potential to become a valuable multi-phase offensive weapon for years to come. With continued growth and a stable offensive role, he could solidify himself as one of the league’s productive and feared tight ends.