AJ Barner Fantasy Stats

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is an "ascending" TE who "should come into his own in Year 3." Barner is finally healthy after multiple offseason surgeries, and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's scheme "should accelerate his progress." Fowler adds that Barner "can do a little bit of everything." The Seahawks will have two tight ends on the field "very, very often," according to Barner. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Michigan took a step forward last year in his second season, catching 52 of 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 30-245-4 line as a rookie. However, with second-year player Elijah Arroyo expected to be a much bigger part of Seattle's passing attack, Barner's fantasy value will likely come with a low ceiling as more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer as long as Arroyo stays healthy. RotoBaller currently has Barner ranked as the No. 29 fantasy TE for the 2026 season, right behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner came through two offseason surgeries and opened camp on the field, so the health question has eased. The fantasy question has not. Barner started all 17 games last season and caught 52 of 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Seattle also put him under center 10 times in short-yardage situations, producing nine first downs and another score. There is a useful role here, and the current depth chart still has him first. The concern is what happens between the 20s. Barner averaged only four targets per game, while second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo has been one of the early camp standouts. Brian Fleury's offense should keep both players involved, but more work for Arroyo may come directly out of Barner's receiving ceiling. RotoBaller has Barner at TE27 in PPR, and his current redraft ADP is TE26. That is a fair price, not a screaming value. Barner can help managers in deeper leagues and formats that start two tight ends. In ordinary 12-team leagues, he is better treated as a late option than a breakout target.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner turned a quiet rookie year into 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He also scored on one of nine short-yardage carries, a small wrinkle Seattle could keep using near the goal line. Barner stayed on the field, playing 827 offensive snaps and starting every regular-season game while dealing with several injuries. Two offseason surgeries kept him out of spring practices, though he expects to be ready for training camp. That is the first thing to watch. Elijah Arroyo is the other. Seattle's 2025 second-round pick caught 15 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in 13 games, and his receiving ability could cut into Barner's routes as he develops. Brian Fleury is now running the offense after previously coaching tight ends, so the position should remain involved. More involvement for Arroyo could be part of that, too. RotoBaller ranks Barner as the redraft TE27 and dynasty TE28. He is not a weekly starter yet, but the playing time and scoring role give him sneaky appeal in deeper redraft leagues.

Across 17 games in 2025, Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (undisclosed) recorded 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets. The 24-year-old started all 17 games for Seattle and emerged as a key red zone target for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, finishing second on the team in touchdown catches behind only superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, there may be reason to believe that Barner's production will regress in 2026. For one, the tight end underwent two different undisclosed offseason surgeries that kept him from participating in OTAs. Secondly, Barner averaged just four targets per game in his breakout campaign a season ago and could see his target volume fall even further if the Seahawks choose to feature 2025 second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo more heavily this season. In dynasty formats, managers may want to explore selling high on Barner.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (undisclosed) hasn't taken part in on-field workouts during the offseason program after having two undisclosed surgeries, but he's "feeling good" and is expected to be back on the field for training camp this summer, according to John Boyle of the team's official website. The 24-year-old was on the weekly injury report for Seattle regularly late last season, being listed with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, and calf injuries. He still made 20 starts, including the postseason, and he finished with 52 receptions (68 targets) for 519 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts in his second year in the NFL. "I'm going to feel much better, and I'm already feeling much better, and I think that's where I'll see strides," Barner said. "I'm feeling good, and I'm chomping at the bit trying to get back out there." The third-year TE should remain a threat in the red zone for the defending Super Bowl champs in 2026, but the expected emergence of Elijah Arroyo will certainly cap his fantasy ceiling in 2026. RotoBaller has Barner ranked as the No. 27 fantasy TE going into the upcoming season.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (undisclosed) was not taking part in the team's OTA practice on Wednesday while recovering from undisclosed offseason procedures, head coach Mike MacDonald told Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Barner started all 17 regular-season games in 2025 in his second year in the league, although he did battle through some ankle and shoulder injuries along the way to catch 52 of his 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of Michigan finished as the TE14 in half-PPR formats. He should be ready by the time training camp rolls around at the end of July, but Barner is no sure thing to repeat or exceed his numbers from his sophomore campaign with Elijah Arroyo still in the fold and reportedly taking a step forward in his development. If Arroyo earns more targets, as is expected, Barner could take a step back in Year 3. Barner is considered an offseason faller and has dropped to No. 28 in RotoBaller's fantasy TE rankings for the 2026 season.

Across 17 games in 2025, Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner recorded 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets. The 24-year-old also recorded 10 carries and scored a touchdown with his legs, as the Seahawks frequently lined him up under center to operate quarterback sneaks. While Barner should continue to play a role in the Seattle offense in 2026, there's reason to believe his fantasy value may have peaked in 2025. Even in a relative breakout year, Barner averaged just four targets per game. He doesn't bring much explosiveness down the field either, as he's averaged 9.3 yards per catch on 82 career receptions. Finally, Seattle may look to shift more of its receiving work in 2026 to second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo, whom the team selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider cashing in their Barner stock ahead of the 2026 season.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner emerged as a red zone weapon in 2025, recording 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets across 17 games. Seattle also used the 24-year-old as its "tush push" quarterback, which allowed Barner to pick up an extra touchdown as a rusher. All told, Barner finished as the TE14 in half-PPR fantasy scoring. However, despite the solid year, Barner may profile as a sell-high candidate in dynasty leagues heading into 2026. For one, he remained a low-volume receiver in 2025, averaging just four targets per game. Additionally, the Seahawks could expand the role of 2025 second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo, who likely offers a higher upside as a pass-catcher than Barner. Barner's rushing usage gives him some additional fantasy upside, but he's likely too reliant on touchdowns to be counted on as a reliable producer at the tight end position going forward.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner finished 2025 as the TE14 in half-PPR formats and has yet to turn 24. Still, he is being priced as a low-end TE2 in dynasty startups, often falling to the late double-digit rounds. The 2024 fourth-round pick finished his second season with 58 catches on 71 targets, 586 receiving yards, and seven touchdown grabs, all top-three numbers on a Super Bowl-winning Seahawks team. He was also given valuable snaps under center in short-yardage and goal-line situations, allowing him to tally an additional rushing touchdown. Seattle spent a 2025 second-round pick on the playmaking tight end Elijah Arroyo, but Barner was able to hold off any perceived target competition, nearly tripling the rookie in both offensive snaps and targets. While Arroyo is himself a candidate to follow Barner's lead with a second-season leap, Barner should still be viewed as the team's primary pass-catching tight end, representing mispriced value in dynasty leagues, even if he only holds the role rather than expanding upon it.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner took a major step forward in 2025, and he remains atop the depth chart heading into 2026. During his second pro season, Barner caught 52 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Not only did he post new career-highs in all three categories, but he also held off any sort of rookie breakout effort from fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo. Coming into the season, it seemed like Arroyo was destined to ascend into the No. 1 role eventually, but that never came to fruition. From a fantasy perspective, Barner emerged as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues. Still just 23 years old, he's trending up in dynasty leagues and could push for a top-12 finish in 2026. The opportunity to buy low on him is running out, but you might still be able to acquire him at a discount if his current manager expects Arroyo to steal some of his volume going forward.