Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner took a slight step back in his team's 27-19 win over the visiting Houston Texans, failing to build off the momentum he carried over the previous two contests. Barner had amassed ten receptions, 124 yards, and two touchdowns across his outings in Weeks 5 and 6. Still, he vanished on Monday night as fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo (4/42) ranked second on the team in each significant receiving category. Barner still handily out-snapped the rookie (62-27) and logged his fifth game this season with an 80% or greater snap share. Furthermore, it's still favorable that he'll be decently involved in the team's offensive attack moving forward. With that said, it's a stark reminder that wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only set-it-and-forget-it option in the Seahawks' passing game. Barner will try to get back on track in Week 9 following Seattle's bye.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has emerged as an important component of Seattle's offense in 2025. Barner is the TE11 with four of his six games producing double-digit fantasy points. Unfortunately, Barner remains difficult to trust in fantasy. He has only earned more than three targets on one occasion this season. Much of his fantasy production is predicated on scoring a touchdown or logging a big play. He needs more volume if he is to become a weekly starter in fantasy. Week 7 presents an interesting opportunity for Barner against the Houston Texans. The Texans boast one of the best defenses in the NFL. They are good at shutting down every offensive skill position. However, the Seahawks have a plethora of weapons on the outside and in the running game that need to be shut down if Houston has any chance of competing in this game. As such, Barner could find himself loose in coverage due to a lack of attention. He is a solid dart throw this week because he has proven himself to be a red zone threat. If his volume increases in Week 7, we could be having a different conversation moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner saw his production dip slightly in Sunday's 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was still effective even on minimal work. Barner caught a career-high seven passes in Week 5, but drew only three targets against Jacksonville (3/71). Despite the downtick, the 23-year-old placed second in yards, receptions, and looks to target hog teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and remains an intriguing fantasy play. While the touchdowns can't be counted on every week, Barner is far and away the snap leader at his position, and the clear third target on the team behind Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp. Fantasy managers can't expect weekly consistency quite yet with diminished target totals, but the Michigan alum is an excellent streaming option and is slowly rising up the dynasty ranks.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner continues to put himself on the map in 2025. Barner only earned three targets in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars; however, he caught all three for 71 yards, including a 61-yard reception. Barner has been a difficult player to assess this season. He has accumulated TE1 numbers for the season. However, Barner has earned three or fewer targets in every game but one this season. Most of Barner's fantasy production has been buoyed by his four touchdown receptions in six games. Barner's volume is not prescriptive for sustained fantasy success, but he continues to get the job done more often than not. Still, given his relative lack of volume, fantasy managers should proceed with caution with Barner until his role grows. The Seahawks clearly love Barner as an every-down player and red zone threat, but touchdowns are difficult to bank on each week.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is coming off the best game of his career in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, securing seven of seven targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. All three marked a career high for Barner in a single game. The 23-year-old has played at least 80% of the snaps in every game except Seattle's Week 3 blowout win against the Saints, when a handful of starters were pulled early from the game. Barner has established himself as a strong threat in the red zone, leading the team with four red zone targets and four touchdowns. Barner will likely need to find the end zone for a productive fantasy day, which puts him in TE2 territory for Week 6 against the Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had a career day on Sunday, and he continues to step up as a meaningful part of Sam Darnold's offense. The second-year tight end from Michigan hauled in a career-high seven catches for 53 yards and found the end zone twice in his team's narrow loss to the Bucs. Barner has caught 14 of the 16 targets sent his way this season and scored four touchdowns in the last four weeks. Darnold has made tight ends fantasy-relevant in his previous NFL stops, and Barner looks to be the latest beneficiary of his attention. The Seahawks are headed to Jacksonville to face the Jags on Sunday, after Jacksonville got a big win on Monday. Barner could be an emergency TE1 option if bye weeks have you in trouble this week, or he could be a solid depth add for later in the season.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had seven catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Tampa Bay. Dynasty Analysis: Barner has made Elijah Arroyo irrelevant so far this season and now has four touchdowns on the year. It's been a quick rise for Barner who is clearly looking like a player who is going to garner lineup consideration moving forward. The buying window likely closed with this performance as Barner really does look like a legitimate weapon in fantasy football with Seattle's offense playing this well.

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner recorded two touchdown catches in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his season-long total to four touchdown grabs in just five games. The 23-year-old has hauled in 14 catches for 134 yards this season on 16 targets. Barner's overall target volume (3.2 per game) is subpar, but there's little question that he's one of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's favorite end zone targets. Additionally, Barner has now played at least 80% of the offensive snaps in four out of Seattle's five games. It will be tough for Barner to be a consistent fantasy producer unless he starts commanding a high volume of targets more consistently. Still, he could be a decent low-end streaming option at tight end in deep leagues and is a waiver-wire name to monitor heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner hauled in all seven of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in his team's 38-35 Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barner is developing into a red zone weapon for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. The 23-year-old tight end now has 14 catches for 134 yards and four touchdowns on 16 targets through five games this season. Week 5 was the first time Barner earned more than three targets in a game so far this year, so he will likely remain dependent on touchdowns to produce in fantasy. Still, as a low-end streaming option at tight end, Barner could have some appeal on a week-to-week basis.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has a couple of double-digit fantasy days this season due to finding the end zone. However, that is not prescriptive for consistent success. Barner is not someone you should be looking to play in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the Seahawks' passing volume could be higher this week with a solid Buccaneers offense coming to town, Barner is relatively low on the pecking order for targets. Barner has not surpassed three targets in any game this season. Although he is a full-time player, the Seahawks love Barner for his blocking and ability to make just a play or two per game. Barner is not even worth rostering due to his inconsistency. The tight end landscape may be bleak in fantasy right now, but you should look elsewhere if you are in dire straits.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner caught all three of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. After Barner's snap share dipped to just above 50 percent last week, he bounced back this week by playing 86 percent of snaps, which was more than fellow pass-catchers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. The 23-year-old has been a boom-or-bust option so far, finishing with fewer than 3.5 fantasy points or greater than 10.5 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his four games so far. Simply put, his fantasy value has been incredibly dependent on scoring touchdowns, which he has done in two of four contests. We need to see a little more consistency from Barner before rostering him in redraft leagues. On a positive note, though, it was intriguing to see him play at least 85 percent of the snaps for the third time this year. Barner and the Seahawks take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a fantasy option in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals due to his lack of usage. With Seattle's offense running through its wide receiver trio and running back duo, Barner has only earned six targets on the season. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme is generally very tight end friendly. However, Barner and fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo (groin) have been left out of the fantasy fun. Barner is not even worth keeping an eye on his usage unless one of Seattle's top wide receivers goes down. You can leave Barner alone on the waiver wire until his circumstances change dramatically.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not a starting option in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. However, his usage is worth monitoring as players continue to settle into the team's new offense. Barner caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also earned three targets after drawing just two looks in Week 1. Most importantly, Barner has played at least 85% of the snaps in both games this season. He is clearly outpacing rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo for playing time. Barner's specialty is blocking, but he has repeatedly demonstrated his receiving chops during each of his first two seasons in the league. If Barner can develop more chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold, he could end up presenting streaming potential in fantasy. For now, Barner should remain on waivers, but he could creep up the waiver wire if he emerges as a red zone threat. That could very well continue in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had a quiet game in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. He will look to bounce back in Week 2 when Seattle visits the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barner caught one of two targets for zero yards in the season opener. That stat line is completely unusable in fantasy, but his 85% snap share was telling. The Seahawks clearly view Barner as their current No. 1 tight end, and no one behind him did anything to threaten that position in the short term. In Barner's defense, only seven of Sam Darnold's 16 completions went to anyone not named Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There was not much to go around in a passing game that was clearly still working through the kinks. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is good at featuring his tight ends. It is only a matter of time before one of the tight ends on this team emerges. With Barner's considerable playing time, he could start to find himself in fantasy relevance. For now, take a wait-and-see approach with Barner remaining on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is not someone worth starting in Week 1. Although Barner appears to be stepping into the No. 1 tight end role in this offense, fantasy managers would be better off waiting to see how the tight end touches are split between Barner and rookie Elijah Arroyo. Barner flashed in 2024 with 245 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Those are not eye-popping numbers, but Barner looked athletic and like he belonged on an NFL field. There is a large tight end role to fill in a Klint Kubiak-led offense that is favorable to the position. If Barner receives a lot of opportunities, he could end up being a solid streaming tight end. However, he is also a great blocker, something that Arroyo could use work on. As such, Arroyo could ultimately end up being the receiving tight end with Barner sprinkled in. The snap breakdown between the two in Week 1 will be telling.

From RotoBaller

Tight End Rankings for Week 1: David Njoku, A.J. Barner and More Freedman's Favorites Stuck at tight end and looking for some Week 1 magic? (already??) Here's why Matthew Freedman is taking a deeper look at A.J. Barner (and four more tight ends to consider) [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Tight End Rankings for Week 1: David Njoku, A.J. Barner and More Freedman's Favorites Stuck at tight end and looking for some Week 1 magic? (already??) Here's why Matthew Freedman is taking a deeper look at A.J. Barner (and four more tight ends to consider) [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has looked "very promising" in training camp practices and is "currently the No. 1 tight end," according to Michael-Shawn Duggar of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Michigan in the 2024 draft, Barner recorded 30 catches for 245 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games (six starts) as a rookie. Seattle released veteran tight end Noah Fant last month, which could be an indication of the confidence the organization has in Barner. However, the Seahawks also used a second-round pick in the 2025 draft at the position when they selected Elijah Arroyo, so Barner will still have in-house competition for targets and playing time.

From RotoBaller