AJ Barner Fantasy Stats

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a starting option in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have been one of the worst defenses in the league all season, and they are No. 24 against opposing tight ends in fantasy. However, Barner is not receiving enough volume in this offense to be a viable fantasy option. Darnold did score a rushing touchdown against Arizona when they first met in Week 2, but he only received one reception. Even in Week 8 when quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps) aired it out 34 times, Barner only racked up two receptions. He is consistently scoring in the single-digits in fantasy due to the lack of volume. Barner was viewed as a potential breakout candidate entering the season, but it has become apparent that new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is not keen on using Barner the same way former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak did. Leave Barner on waivers until the Seahawks demonstrate more of a desire to use him.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not on the fantasy radar in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. The Bears are No. 17 against opposing tight ends in fantasy, but Barner does not receive enough consistent volume to be a predictable fantasy asset. However, if you are in absolutely dire straits at tight end in a deep league, there is a chance Barner receives an extra look or two due to the absence of wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) this week. Quarterback Sam Darnold could look his way in more third-down situations and short-yardage, but he would be a risky play. With wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba receiving the bulk of targets in the offense, there is little room for anyone else in fantasy. Barner plays his role within the offense very well, but that role is difficult to trust in fantasy. He should be left on waivers unless you have no other options and are counting on a potential touchdown.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a top 25 fantasy option in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Chiefs have been solid against most positions in fantasy this season, they are 29th against tight ends, allowing 16.08 fantasy points per game. As such, if you need a desperation start and want to play matchups, Barner is a potential sleeper. However, Barner continues to see very little volume in this offense. There does exist a world in which the Seahawks attack the Chiefs' weakness and use Barner more. His run-after-catch ability is something to exploit in this game. Still, Barner has exceeded four targets only twice this season. He has also only recorded more than three catches in one game. Unless he finds the end zone (which he has only done once), those types of numbers will not get it done for fantasy. Even with the good matchup, there are likely better options on the waiver wire. Leave Barner on waivers unless you are in a very deep league.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has struggled to shake loose this season. He does not project to do so in a Week 6 matchup with the Denver Broncos. This is a plus-matchup for tight ends given that the Broncos are No. 21 against opposing tight ends in fantasy. However, Barner is not receiving enough volume to merit fantasy consideration. Week 5 marked just the second time this season that Barner recorded at least five targets. Both of Barner's five-plus target games have come when quarterback Sam Darnold was forced to air the ball out consistently. The Broncos are entering this game with a struggling offense against a strong Seahawks defense. As such, Seattle's total passing volume should be low, especially if the team is able to get its ground game going against a weak Broncos rushing defense. Barner will have a spike game or two throughout the season, but this does not project to be one of them.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is off the streaming radar in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. Barner is simply not receiving enough volume in this offense to trust in fantasy this season. Not to mention, the 49ers are No. 5 against opposing tight ends in fantasy this season. This is a tough matchup for the Seahawks offense overall. San Francisco has more or less shut down most of the offenses they have played this season. Your best bet for fantasy value from Barner is a tush-push goal line carry, given the Seahawks' struggles with conventional goal line rushes this season. Otherwise, Barner has only surpassed three targets once this season. There does exist a world in which Seattle and San Francisco enter into a shootout. In that scenario, Barner would almost certainly see additional volume. In Week 3 when the offense was forced to score heavily, Barner earned nine targets. However, with Seattle's defense playing so well most of the time, it is better to err on the side of caution with Barner this week.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner could be a potential streamer in a pinch in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. With quarterback Sam Darnold back in the lineup in Week 3, Barner recorded five receptions on a whopping nine targets for 69 yards. While nine targets will not be prescriptive moving forward, Barner's involvement at the hands of Darnold was encouraging. Seattle does not project to be in many shootouts like the one they found themselves in in Week 3, but Barner has been an ascending player since the second half of the 2025 season. His ability after the catch makes him an intriguing player for fantasy. Additionally, he is a fantastic red zone threat. The Chargers are No. 15 against opposing tight ends in fantasy this season. Barner is not a must-start, but if you are struggling at tight end in a deep league, he is a potential option in Week 4.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had a relatively small role in the passing attack through the first two weeks of the season, but his volume shot up with quarterback Sam Darnold returning from injury in Week 3. During Sunday's loss, Barner exploded for nine targets, five catches, and 69 receiving yards. This was the second-highest target total of his career, suggesting that he's trending up with Darnold back in action. Barner may not get nine targets every week, but all signs point to him remaining on the fantasy radar as he continues to show off his rapport with Darnold. There's a case to be made that the 24-year-old is Darnold's second-favorite target, behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Barner has low-end TE1 appeal heading into Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a fantasy option in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Barner is not receiving enough volume in an offense that runs through wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Three targets in two games are not enough to move the needle for fantasy, despite Barner scoring a rushing touchdown in Week 2. The good news is that Barner has been on the field for at least 80% of the snaps in both games. Additionally, Smith-Njigba is unlikely to command a 44% target share for a full season. With quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) returning from injury this week, the passing attack stands to balance out to something closer to what it was in 2025. Even so, leave Barner on waivers until he displays more involvement in this passing offense.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is a TE2 in Week 2 at the Arizona Cardinals. Barner was a non-factor in Week 1, earning just two targets. Seattle's offense was out of sorts with backup quarterback Drew Lock having to step in early for an injured Sam Darnold (glute). Better days should be ahead for Barner, but it is difficult to trust the third-year tight end until we know how the pass catchers will be supported by Lock over the next couple of weeks. Week 2's matchup with Arizona does not present a huge challenge for Seattle's offense, so Barner could get loose in the red zone. However, deploying him in fantasy would be a very risky move. For now, leave Barner on your bench. If he demonstrates chemistry with Lock after a week of preparation, he could be worth considering in Week 3 and beyond.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (oblique) caught two passes for 13 yards in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Barner was kept in check all night, with the Seahawks' offense struggling to move the ball at times. Barner entered the season with a path to a serious breakout after scoring six touchdowns and finishing as the TE14 in 2025. That path still exists and should begin to unfold as the Seahawks' offense finds its footing. With quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) sidelined in Week 1, it is unclear who will be under center next week. However, quarterback Drew Lock is a capable backup, and he should not affect Barner's ability to produce. For now, Barner is still best viewed as a TE. He can still emerge as the season wears on, but we will need to monitor his usage, particularly in the red zone. Expect better production when Seattle visits Arizona in Week 2.