Brenton Strange · Michael Mayer · 2026 week 8

Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer?

Wondering who you should start this week — Brenton Strange or Michael Mayer? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Brenton StrangeBrenton Strange projects 3.3 PPR points clear of Michael Mayer in week 8, drawing IND — the 10th-ranked matchup for TEs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 8	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Brenton Strange START	vs IND	10.9	10th	13.2	783	healthy
Michael Mayer	@ NYJ	7.6	27th · tough	8	115	healthy

TEs vs IND recently: Chig Okonkwo 0.5 pts (W4) · Pat Freiermuth 16.5 pts (W5) · T.J. Hockenson 9.5 pts (W7).

TEs vs NYJ recently: Harold Fannin Jr. 0.4 pts (W5) · Hunter Henry 10.8 pts (W6) · Greg Dulcich 8.6 pts (W7).

🎓 The coach's read

Brenton Strange projects 3.3 points higher in PPR.
Brenton Strange faces IND, 10th most generous to TEs.
Michael Mayer faces NYJ, 27th most generous to TEs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Brenton Strange carries the higher trade value — 783 against 115 (a 85% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Brenton Strange gets the most. Momentum: Brenton Strange +702 and Michael Mayer +115 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More TE decisions

Brenton Strange or Travis Kelce?Brenton Strange or Dalton Kincaid?Brenton Strange or Kyle Pitts Sr.?Michael Mayer or Mark Andrews?Michael Mayer or Pat Freiermuth?Michael Mayer or Tyler Higbee?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.