Should I Start AJ Barner?

Sunday, June 28, 11:48 AM

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.