Brenton Strange or Pat Freiermuth: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Brenton Strange and Pat Freiermuth grade out even this week. Strange's best edge is snap share (75% to 53%), Freiermuth's best edge is the consensus rank (TE19 to TE22) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Brenton Strange

TE22JAXvs CLE

4.96.58.1 Projected Points

Start

Pat Freiermuth

TE19PITvs ATL

4.96.78.4 Projected Points

Start

Why Brenton Strange

Start

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

Start — TE22 consensus, projects TE21 this week: 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 Pat Freiermuth

Start

TE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.

Start — TE19 consensus, projects TE17 this week: ATL is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 12% target share in 2025.

ATL ranks 3 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 22.8 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 53% snap share in 2025.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Brenton Strange	Pat Freiermuth
Projected points	4.96.58.1	4.96.78.4
Consensus rank	TE22	TE19
Opponent vs position	CLE · 9 of 320-game sample	ATL · 3 of 320-game sample
Receptions	10 of 32	3 of 32
Receiving Yards	15 of 32	8 of 32
Receiving TDs	1 of 32	1 of 32
Targets	13 of 32	4 of 32
Anytime TD	5 of 32	1 of 32
Target share	16%(2025)	12%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	13%(2025)
Implied total · spread	24.0-7.5	22.8-3.0
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	75%(2025)	53%(2025)