The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and now it’s time for dynasty rookie drafts. Landing spots and draft capital have been determined, and we’re here with your dynasty rookie draft outlooks. Let’s take a look at what Derek Brown expects of Brenton Strange.
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Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks & Predictions: Brenton Strange
Stats:
- 2022 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 40th
- PFF receiving grade: 25th
- 2021 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 113th
- PFF receiving grade: 121st
- 2020 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 52nd
- PFF receiving grade: 52nd
- Career
- 62nd percentile collegiate yards per reception
Scouting report:
- Immediately on film, Strange pops as a nasty blocker with a mean streak. He utilizes a strong lower half well with the leg drive to push defenders around. He anchors well and has solid hand technique engaging defenders. Despite having 34th percentile hand size, his mitts never lose a defensive player once he’s locked onto them.
- Strange is an athletic linear player. His athleticism shows up during blocking and when he’s moving in a straight line. His explosive metrics (broad and vertical jumps) are off the charts, but his 3-cone and 20-yard shuttle are 32nd percentile (per Mockdraftable.com) or lower. This struggle with short-area footwork shows up in his routes. He rounds off routes and doesn’t have an explosive transition once moving from receiver to rusher after the catch.
- Strange’s route running is still evolving. He was utilized on screens and chip plays heavily. If he doesn’t continue to hone his footwork and overall route running game, he will be a weapon against zone and poor tackling teams, but you will be pressed to see him win against man coverage. His lack of route nuance and footwork could severely limit his upside. With his plus run blocking already in tow, he could be typecast early as an inline 12 personnel type who is never a featured weapon in an NFL offense.
- Strange isn’t a high-end target earner. He never commanded more than a 9.7% target share in any collegiate season. He profiles as a tertiary option in an NFL passing attack who might have to live off his red zone usage to be fantasy relevant.
Player Comp: Foster Moreau with heavy feet
Dynasty Outlook: Strange’s dynasty stock will be impacted by not only his talent and ability but also what the team decides to do with Evan Engram. If Engram gets locked up with a long-term deal, Strange will undoubtedly be the second fiddle to Engram. Strange won’t be drafted high, so he’s worth the dice roll. The risk is baked into his ADP, but the upside as possibly the starter in 2024 on a Trevor Lawrence-led team isn’t. Doug Pederson can scheme up Strange to best utilize his straight-line explosiveness on crossers. Strange likely will never be a top 5-7 dynasty tight end drawing a 20% or higher target share, but he could become a low-end TE1 in dynasty at some point if Evan Engram moves on.
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