Brenton Strange or Dalton Schultz: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Brenton Strange and Dalton Schultz grade out even this week. Strange's best edge is the game script (24.0 implied points to 22.0), Schultz's best edge is the consensus rank (TE19 to TE21) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Brenton Strange

TE21JAXvs CLE

4.96.58.1 Projected Points

Start

Dalton Schultz

TE19HOUvs BUF

4.76.58.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Brenton Strange

Start

Starting TE and ascending pass-catcher. Athletic seam target with adequate in-line blocking.

Start — TE21 by consensus and projection: CLE is the 9th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 24.0 implied team total.

CLE ranks 9 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 24.0 team points as 7.5-point favorites.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 75% snap share in 2025.

Why Dalton Schultz

Toss-Up

TE1 in high-volume pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover over the middle with sure hands.

Toss-up — TE19 by consensus and projection: BUF is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 19% target share in 2025.

BUF ranks 3 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 22.0 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 71% snap share in 2025.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Brenton Strange	Dalton Schultz
Projected points	4.96.58.1	4.76.58.4
Consensus rank	TE21	TE19
Opponent vs position	CLE · 9 of 320-game sample	BUF · 3 of 320-game sample
Receptions	10 of 32	1 of 32
Receiving Yards	15 of 32	2 of 32
Receiving TDs	1 of 32	6 of 32
Targets	13 of 32	1 of 32
Anytime TD	5 of 32	5 of 32
Target share	16%(2025)	19%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	23%(2025)
Implied total · spread	24.0-7.5	22.0+1.5
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	75%(2025)	71%(2025)